18 ATTACH 05-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

DRAFT Commissioner O'Connor referred to odors, noting that a bakery would not be removed. He inquired if staff is going to start judging which odors are okay. Mr. Weinstein replied that odors is probably not the best example, but there are some uses that generate odors that are offensive to people. He explained that staff was thinking of things like motorcycle dealerships, for example, which might be appropriate in a more central location in a commercial district but not appropriate on the edge of a commercial district next to residential uses. He added that there are other uses like Christmas Tree lots that usually require bigger sites and generate a lot of traffic during certain times of the year. He noted that this just seemed appropriate for this kind of small site on the edge of a commercial or central commercial district. Commissioner O'Connor commented that a Christmas Tree lot would not be appropriate anywhere in the Downtown. Mr. Weinstein replied that it is an unlikely use. He indicated that what staff tried to do is go through the uses, working closely with the applicant, to come up with a reasonable list that would give them a decent amount of flexibility to get tenants into their commercial space without having any sort of substantial adverse impacts on adjacent residential uses. Commissioner Balch commented that the residential use is the only one element that seems in question. Mr. Weinstein said yes. He pointed out that this project is being marketed as a mixed-use project, and that is an essential principle that allows staff to support the project as staff would not be in support of a solely residential project at this location. He explained that staff is trying to retain and enhance the commercial character of Downtown, and this cannot be achieved with an all-residential project in this location, although staff is very sensitive to comments from the applicant's team that buildings need to be occupied and that a vacant building does not enhance the Downtown. He added that one of the costs essentially of this project is, as Mr. Luchini mentioned, requiring a lot of legislative changes to policy documents. Commissioner O'Connor inquired how this building could be re-occupied as a residence if it lost its tenant; if the owner would have to come in and get a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Mr. Weinstein said no; it would require a PUD modification, which is a pretty big step. Commissioner O'Connor noted that there are a lot of offices down there that are vacant right now, or when they go vacant, they stay vacant for quite a long time. Commissioner Balch commented that the neighboring adjacent property is being remodeled. Chair Allen stated that in the business world, if there is a vacant retail space and it is a slow economy, the rent drops and a hair salon or one that is sort of transitional that just wants a temporary place is brought in. DRAFT EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, 11/182015 Page 10 of 22