2012-04-24_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

available or vacant and often parking lot versus green space took the place of the land not being developed immediately. Chair Vanderwall provided another example in Little Canada on Rice Street where a building went up and still had only one (1) tenant, even though built with a future intent. However, Chair Vanderwall noted that some vacancies were due to consequences of the market. In Section 1004.06 (Regional Business), Section E.1, Member Gjerdingen opined that he would prefer more on-street parking creating a buffer between the sidewalk and street, or shared space that would prove beneficial. Chair Vanderwall provided another example of his recent visit to Washington, D.C. and parking and transit options there; as well as the results of our changing society. In Section 1005.07 (page 45 of the CMU Zoning Section), Member Gjerdingen noted the many lots in Twin Lakes marked with "flexible" frontage, and opined that CMU zoning should be comparable to the Regional Business Zoning District; with the CMU area having more restrictions, since it appeared that the City had given up a lot of control. Chair Vanderwall suggested that the flexibility may be related to the type of businesses that was trying to be attracted, with different criteria for an office building versus retail; as well as more flexibility for tenants and customers or clients, based on the type of business. Chair Vanderwall suggested that this may be part of the rationale for allowing that flexibility, to encourage a broader range of uses, or at least to not place undue restrictions or regulations on those uses unless applicable. Mr. Schwartz advised that the Zoning Districts had been developed with significant business community input, respecting their property rights, while at the same time achieving the long-term goals of the City for green space and green corridors. Mr. Schwartz advised that the results of those discussions had provided this language; and as properties developed, this document would attempt to achieve those long-term goals. Chair Vanderwall thanked staff for providing the documents; opining that he intended to keep them for future reference for PWETC-related interests and discussions. At the request of Member Felice, Mr. Schwartz advised that there had been some resistance in the City's attempt to promote this type of development, while also attempting to recognize the market and meet customer base concerns of developers, through some compromises. Page 13 of 14