8B, Planning Case 12-009 - 1201 County Road E Reuse Proposal

Home Browse Search

Commissioner Hames stated this is a two-pronged situation — a security person and some type of security system. So if the program requires key entry or some other type of technology would they agree to it. Mr. Nolan replied yes. Commissioner Holewa stated he is concerned about residents calling down to the security desk to let someone in, if they are on a cell phone how would the security person know if the call was coming from a resident in the building? Mr. Nolan replied they have two different security companies that will work with the property management company to determine what the best security measures are. Commissioner Thompson referenced the floor plans noting the layout and asked if the doors between hotel rooms will continue to exist. Mr. Davidson replied the layout is not accurate, that Code requires the door be removed between studios, that it cannot have a common door. However, for a one bedroom the door will remain open. Commissioner Hames asked if a one bedroom with the extra door that goes out to the hallway will then be removed. Mr. Davidson replied no, it will be functional. Commissioner Hames asked for confirmation that a one-bedroom unit will have two doors out to the hallway. Mr. Davidson replied that is correct. Commissioner Hames noted the plans were dated Apri12"d and not shown to Code as required. Commissioner Stodola referenced the layout "typical unit G" and noted confusion asking if there is a huge closet or storage. City Planner Beekman replied it is a stairwell and not internal to the unit. Commissioner Stodola noted that most drawings will say square footage and asked if footage was known. Mr. Davidson replied the efficiencies are 300 square feet and a one-bedroom is approximately 600 square feet. He added that some end units on each floor are larger as well as six units on the second floor. Commissioner Stodola asked if they have reviewed any area regarding vacancies noting that 300 square feet would be very small for today's standards. Mr. Davidson replied they did a survey of about 1,300 units in the area and found that availability for efficiencies showed no vacancies and of a one bedroom within the 1,300 showed 1.2% vacant. He stated he feels a market niche for smaller units is there, noting these units are smaller because that's what the infrastructure provides. He added they will invest a lot of thought and money into the first floor common area so residents can access more space. Commissioner Stodola referenced units near the U of M on Washington Avenue, noting the units are all two and three bedrooms units and that vacancies were always in the smaller units. Commissioner Thompson stated she would be interested in seeing the survey information. Commissioner Hames asked if the lease rent will be a flat rate per unit or per person. For example, will there be a set rate for the unit but if there is a second person the rent will increase by x dollars. Mr. Davidson replied they would anticipate a single occupant would have an x rate and if there was a second person the rate would increase.