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� � ➢ The written record itself (see the document submitted by the City planning staff prior to the Planning Commission meeting) was wholly conclusory in nature, offering no analysis for whether this rezoning, in this location, would be consistent with the larger goals advanced by the Comprehensive Plan. (The analysis regarding the impact of the CUP is equally thin, esp. in sections 7.2 to 7.7, which are statements of conclusions only, with no analysis on the record.) Even at the Planning Commission meeting, many of these statements were repeated with no further justification for the analysis that this proposal "will have no impact on the general public health, safety, and welfare". In summary to this section, it appears that, to date, the City has given this proposed action rather cursory treatment. Understandably, while it may be a very important proposal for the neighborhood, it is a small matter in terms of the city as a whole. Nevertheless, the scale of a project relative to other projects on the agenda does not absolve the City of its responsibility to make its decision-making transparently rational. The analysis given to this action is wholly inadequate to support a minimally rational conclusion and to avoid the conclusion that the action is arbitrary and capricious. Conclusion A nice little deli might be a wonderful addition to this neighborhood. Done right, in a scheme that included substantial landscaping of the south side of the property and the removal of the existing parking slots, it could enhance the residents' enjoyment of the neighborhood. However, rezoning a site such as this demands far more long-sighted concerns for the residents who have invested themselves in the neighborhood. These concerns are substantial and they are real. The City Council should look closely at this property to imagine the possible outcomes of the decision they will make here. At a minimum, this plan can go forward only with a firm commitment to the integrity of the Autumn Street residential neighborhood. It appears from the Planning Commission meeting that steps are being considered in that direction, and the unanimous voice of the neighborhood speaks to the importance of those efforts—removing the parking on the Autumn Street side of this property and ensuring that the property is properly landscaped on all sides facing residential properties. But more deeply, the City Council should be concerned about the Rezoning itself and should wait until it can consider this property in conjunction with the properiy to the north. Sincerely, [signed] Patrick Schmidt 1140 Autumn Street Appendix: Documents presented to the Planning Commission, including as appendices to that document, a list of Residents Joining in the Expression of Concern and Four Photos of Autumn Street and 1901 Lexington Avenue