PC 112812 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Olson agreed with Commissioner O'Connor's idea to do something with the two front homes on Stanley Boulevard. He indicated that it was a great idea and would trade it for demolition. He expressed concern, however, that there is a Task Force that is, in his opinion, the tail wagging the dog. He stated that he has not been inside the structure, but it is sitting there like a sore thumb. He added that the Commission has heard tonight that the applicant will probably not go forward with this project if that home has to stay there, and therefore, the Commission can decide that it wants that property to continue to be a mobile home park, which he thinks would not serve the Downtown area as well as a properly planned development on that property. He indicated that he is totally in favor of demolition. Acting Chair Blank stated that one of the challenges both Commissioner Pearce and he have is to drive the Task Force to represent community values. He noted that if it were not for some Task Force members, nothing old would be demolished, so it is important that the pendulum not swing into "demolish everything" or "demolish nothing" as some of the Task Force members really want. He stated that it is really difficult for him to answer No. 3 because he has not had the chance to walk the inside of the structure, touch it, and feel it; he drove by it, looked at it, and was not all that impressed from the outside. He indicated that he thinks the timing needs to be considered. He recalled that the City has had a lot of events where a hillside development and other very controversial items have come in and suddenly shown up when other Task Forces were working on exactly those items. He stated that he is really concerned about the disruption this could cause in the middle of the Task Force process, and, that is why he recommended earlier that the Commissioners have a tour of the facility to at least provide them with some additional information. Commissioner Olson inquired if the Task Force has looked at the possibility of moving homes. He stated that if the community feels strongly enough about this, then moving the home, if it is moveable, should be considered because it is standing in the way of a development that is probably going to help the Downtown area. Acting Chair Blank replied that would be an option if the house is movable; or if the developer came back and said that they can move this home if they get the density they want, or if they get this amenity; or if they put this home 200 feet the other way; or bring that other home in and make them the cornerstones. He stated that the Task Force has not specifically talked about moving homes versus what is a historic home. He noted that right now, they are struggling to create a reliable definition that builders and developers can consider "a stake in the sand "; for example, if it is a home that was built, say, before 1890, it is historic; if it is after 1890, it is not. Commissioner O'Connor clarified that he did not want to say he is opposed to demolishing the home because I does not have enough information at this time. Acting Chair Blank stated that he was in the same position. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, November 28, 2012 Page 19 of 38