PC 091212 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Pearce agreed that looking at where the restaurants and bars are and where the Core and Transition Areas are, it seems like a compromise. She indicated that she hears what Commissioner Narum is saying but struggles with whether anything better can be done on Peters Avenue as there are businesses on one side and residences on another. She stated that if she could figure out a way to do it better and create more of a buffer, she would, but that she suspects this is the best that can be done. She added that she agreed with Commissioner Blank. Commissioner Olson stated that he was fine with this. He stated that as he listens to the discussion about noise, he was reminded that in the past, people who live right by the railroad tracks had approached the Commission and complained about noise from the railroad. He added that if that is a problem, those people should not have bought that home right next to the tracks. He noted that several speakers made the point that people who live in this area like it; they like the commotion, the energy, and the vitality, and that is why they chose to live here. He further noted that he can understand older people living here who say that it was not this way 20 years ago when they bought in; however, he would come down on the side of trying to improve the vitality here. He indicated that the Task Force did a good job on this and that he supports it. Commissioner O'Connor stated that he agrees with what has been said regarding the Transition Zone. He indicated that he thinks it is a compromise, and coming into a second lot would include a few that come all the way to Main Street. He noted that he had an opposite concern because he wants to do this once and not have to be manipulating with these lots later. He stated that he has heard talk in the past about City Hall moving or expanding elsewhere or converting what is currently there, and he is looking at the big corner over by the library marked "City Hall," which looks like a huge buffer zone area that who knows what it might be 10 or 20 years from now and there is still that buffer zone on the opposite side of Old Bernal Avenue. He questioned why that whole corner part was made into a buffer zone and not part of the Core. Chair Pentin replied that he does not remember the Task Force really concerning itself when it came to looking at the Transition and the Core Areas. He referred the question to Ms. Ott. Ms. Ott replied that there was no discussion about that corner. She noted that if the theory that leaving one property along Old Bernal Avenue is followed as was done on Peters Avenue, that space marked "City Hall" would be a buffer zone. She indicated that it was not a significant conversation because nobody thought beyond having the City in that location. Chair Pentin stated that he would imagine that if it came to a point in time where City Hall moved out of that space and it was rezoned high density, adding to the vitality, the guideline there would also be changed. He indicated that this would be something for the Commission to think about when the Guidelines come back. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, September 12, 2012 Page 26 of 35