PC 010902 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Iserson clarified that the "Commercial" designation would allow retail and/or office on the r first floor and residential on the second floor. Discussion ensued regarding the options for the land use designation for this property. Chairperson Maas stated that she is looking for the best project for the site, whether it be office, residential, or retail. She inquired whether the zoning could be left open to allow projects that would be appropriate for the site to come forward. Commissioner Harvey suggested that the Commission be as specific as they feel comfortable with in making a recommendation to help facilitate the PUD process. Commissioner Roberts suggested using the same wording as included for the "Office" designation, with the inclusion oflanguage that allows access to the Arroyo. Commissioner Sullivan noted that the Planning Commission had denied the application for commercial development on the site and directed the applicant to go back and work with the neighbors, and now they are saying they don't like the plan that the applicant has developed with the neighbors. He advised that he feels the mixed use of office and residential is a compromise between the residential neighbors and the business neighbors. He stated that he does not feel medium-density, single-family housing is appropriate, but he thinks it is a good opportunity for an affordable housing site. ,.- Chairperson Maas noted that the developer has worked with residents to develop a plan which is acceptable to the residents, as per the Planning Commission's direction. She questioned why the plan developed by the applicant and the residents was not being supported. Commissioner Arkin commented that he thinks the office use is much easier to control through conditions than a residential development. Discussion ensued regarding the office use compatibility with residential uses. Commissioner Harvey stated that either pure residential or pure retail/commercial use would eliminate the buffer between the residents and the commercial area that now exists. He noted that what is needed is a use that provides a transition, and that logic would tell you that it needs to be a mixture of the neighbors on both sides. However, he noted that a mixed-use might create a third entity with its own problems interfacing with residents on one side and retail on the other. He asked the other commissioners to comment on this. Commissioner Harvey stated that he would have difficulty in determining what the appropriate use would be. Chairperson Maas voiced concerns about the traffic that would be generated by high-density residential. Commissioner Harvey asked if it would be possible to condition a high-density residential project to create a landscape or other buffer between it and the businesses on Main Street. .- PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 9, 2002 Page 11