CC_Minutes_2015_0323 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, March 23, 2015 Page 26 past attempts if there had been incentives to address that type of re-use, as well as addressing parking lots and other aesthetic or logistical issues. Councilmember Laliberte expressed her interest in more discussion by either the HRA or the City Council in taking steps to provide landowners with assistance by visualizing those types of upgrades specific to their property. Mayor Roe concurred, noting there may be other consultants that could assist with those efforts to help the HRA or City Council through the process (e.g. a devel- opment or marketing consultant) that could be funded through economic devel- opment efforts and/or use of TIF funding to help those owners see what it could look like. Mr. Bilotta used the south side of Terrace Drive as an example of how buildings could be refaced and/or parking lots revamped, noting the ongoing interest ex- pressed by the public in bringing more green into development and parking areas. In transitioning such uses from trucking into quasi-retail (e.g. Brewstillery) by bringing in landscaping or lighting amenities, Mr. Bilotta advised that area water- shed districts were also interested to address and mitigate potential drainage is- sues with some funding from them also available. Mr. Bilotta advised that at a fu- ture meeting, staff would have additional information about ways to capture and improve green areas. Mayor Roe asked that the discussion also include subarea 1 as well. Councilmember Laliberte asked that, if upgrades were to be a consideration for subarea 6, it would be interesting to discuss them for subarea 4 as well, including the area west of Fairview Avenue as suggested by Mayor Roe. In conclusion, and with consensus of the Council, Mayor Roe noted the potential for subareas 1, 4 and 6. Langton Lake Park Expansion Councilmember Etten expressed his strong support for considering such an ex- pansion, noting this City Council had shown their willingness to purchase land on the west side of the lake to buffer the park from development. Councilmember Et- ten noted his continued request, since serving on the Parks & Recreation Com- mission, to sit down with developers and create a plan to cordon off this area by working with owners to set it aside. Councilmember Etten noted a strip of land on the south side of the park that could become a great asset, which he would love to see happen, but if not at a minimum buffers placed in the zoning code for that region providing more space between developments and the park. Councilmem- ber Etten reiterated his strong support of that concept, or through the option to buy a strip of land adjoining the park and turning it into a boulevard to expand green space and bring in higher-quality development.