02-26-08 EDC Meeting Minutes - Unsigned

Home Browse Search

EDC Minutes February 26, 2008 Page 2 of 10 Chair Kunkel said he thought the group needs to take some time and look this document over and provide comments to Asst. City Administrator Simon or City Planner Lehnhoff. City Planner Lehnhoff noted that comments can be taken for a couple weeks yet if there are none today. Asst. City Administrator Simon said the members could call or email either him or City Planner Lehnhoff with the comments. Councilmember Holden noted that she thought it was important the group look at the whole document as well because it all intermixes. She said there may be other issues that the group wants to provide input on. Nancy asked if this version of the Comp Plan different from the current one. City Planner Lehnhoff noted the current plan doesn't have an Economic Development/Redevelopment chapter so yes; it does differ quite a bit from the current plan. City Planner Lehnhoff noted the Economic Development/Redevelopment chapter is recommended but not required by law to be included. Rob asked if this plan includes affordable housing goals. City Planner Lehnhoff noted it does. He also indicated this plan requires Planning Commission approval and the final approval by the City Council. • Chair Kunkel asked about the length of the document in it's entirety as it stands now. City Planner Lehnhoff indicated it has 80 pages, not including maps. Chair Kunkel asked if the full document could be sent to the members via email. Asst. City Administrator Simon indicated it would be sent out via email. Jim Paulet noted the one thing that jumped out to him was the reduction of the amount of surface parking and inquired what the reasoning was behind this item. Asst. City Administrator Simon indicated the reasoning behind this item was looking at parking by identifying appropriate parking needs based on the use and averages and not an extreme on one end or the other. Rob said his thoughts are very consistent with what Asst. City Administrator Simon said — that there is no need to have 10 parking spaces when you only need 5 so it allows for an appropriate utilization of space. City Planner Lehnhoff said this helps prevent over paving and landscaping as well. Nancy asked if that meant supporting public parking ramps. City Planner Lehnhoff indicated he would say that could be one potential tool that can be used, but it doesn't necessarily say it supports parking ramps. He feels it is looking at all future ways parking can be reduced. Asst. City Administrator Simon noted he looked at the issue of parking structures and whether or not they would be viable and that would depend on the use of a property and the surrounding areas.