PC 022212 - Laserfiche WebLink

assuming the Commission adopted this amendment, if a bank that would like to build and operate where the Union Jack Pub used to be, which has been a vacant property for so long, be an example of bringing in vitality to the Downtown, and if this is what staff envisions as promoting and bringing in vitality. Commissioner O'Connor stated that he thinks it would be up to the Commission to determine if this was bringing in vitality. Chair Pentin stated that he is reading it differently, with the consideration being whether a proposed financial institution would not add to vitality and pedestrian interest. Commissioner Narum continued that, turning Chair Pentin's statement around, in this particular case, which is obviously not a space where people would like to run a restaurant, a bank could be said that it would add to vitality in the Downtown. Mr. Dolan stated that this is an interesting situation which staff did not really think of. He explained that staff put this together over a relatively short period of time in response to a specific concern. He indicated that, in terms of the change, staff was so definitive about never having a financial institution on a corner and never more than one a block, that staff thought there may be circumstances, and Commissioner Narum's example may be one of those, where the Commission may want the flexibility; therefore, staff put in place the criteria for consideration that would give the Commission plenty of reason to not approve financial institutions at specific locations, but would also give the Commission the opportunity to approve them if the circumstances were right. Commissioner Narum inquired if staff had another example where they think discretion would come into play. Mr. Dolan replied that he did not know if he can anticipate one example. He continued that it would leave the Commission's options open if, for instance, in the evolution of the bank business, a financial institution came in and would provide some service that does not now exist and is not known of, but for some reason was necessary. Commissioner Narum noted that staff is looking at it differently than she is, and it is probably a good thing as it provides even more wiggle room. She added that at this point, she would be in favor of somebody coming in and filling that hole on Main Street, even if it were a bank or a financial institution, so the hole would go away. Chair Pentin stated that what he sees most in the changes, if taken as Commissioner Narum has mentioned, is taking "shall" out and using "discouraged" instead. He presented another scenario, that of the shopping center where Vic's Restaurant is located, with buildings in the parking lot at the back, and inquired if those buildings would be precluded from a savings and loan or credit union. He pointed out that the strip mall is not on Main Street, but the property is. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES. February 22, 2012 Page 4 of 7