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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, October 07, 2009 Page 5 Further discussion included identification of adjacent park land, with zoning as R-1, but designated as park land. Applicant Representative John Kohler, Architect with Semper Development, Ltd. Mr. Kohler addressed questions of the Commission related to lack of a development at this time; pending Purchase Agreement for the parcels from Wewers Road to County Road C; process in place for redevelopment of the hardware store and Walgreen’s site; support of the owner for this application; and inclusion of the neighbor comments in any future development proposals. Mr. Kohler advised that his firm was more than willing to consider concerns of the neighborhood; however, noted that depending on who redeveloped the property, the may end up selling the property and not doing the actual redevelopment. Mr. Kohler noted that they had designated shared access on the south side of Walgreen’s to be used on this parcel, accessing Rice Street, as the property line splits shared access. Public Comment Staff noted two (2) written comments, attached hereto and made a part thereof, expressing concern with future access onto Wewers Road, among other issues and concerns. Those comments were from: Karen Engholm & Family at 175 Wewers Road; and Gary & Lisa Wolf at 203 Wewers Road. Cheri Marchio, 167 Wewers Road Ms. Marchio, as the home immediately adjacent, opined that her parcel would be the most directly-impacted; and expressed her concern related to increased traffic and safety concerns onto Wewers. Ms. Marchio addressed increased traffic to-date in vehicles avoiding the light at Rice Street and County Road C; and changes being experienced by the residential neighborhood with commercial zoning impacts, specifically related to bicycles and pedestrian traffic safety. Ms. Marchio further addressed potential loss of trees screening their residential property, and whether the two sections of retain wall would be designed consistently. Ms. Marchio also addressed potential impacts to wildlife in that area; and expressed frustration in not knowing that this was a potential possibility when originally purchasing their property. Chair Doherty, based on past experience, suggested that the City had extensive requirements for screening and/or berming commercial properties from residential areas. Mr. Paschke refocused discussion on the request currently before the Planning Commission, that of rezoning, a basic ordinance change from R-1 to B-3. Mr. Paschke reiterated his comments related to future redevelopments coming forward, at which time any screening, improvements, and mitigation of potential impacts would be addressed, consistent with City Code; with other concerns taken into review at that time. Chair Doherty expressed his confidence that staff had been made fully aware of the concerns of the neighbors. Gary Wolf, 203 Wewers Road Mr. Wolf noted that he had providing written comment; and reviewed those comments. Additional comments of Mr. Wolf included potential plans of the developer related to demolition of existing buildings and whether the area would be cleared and left vacant and ramifications if no future redevelopment occurs immediately. Mr. Paschke noted that any developer would need to comply with City Code; and reviewed the request currently before the Commission related to rezoning one parcel to make it consistent with adjacent parcels and the 2030 Comprehensive Plan guidance. Mr. Wolf noted current traffic and safety concerns on Wewers Road; potential median placement along Rice Street that may further impact traffic in the area; and the current quiet residential nature of the street. Mr. Paschke reiterated that there were numerous ways to review and address neighborhood issues; but that they could not be addressed without a development plan in