CCMIN04162019 - Laserfiche WebLink

Councilmember Brown's question regarding FAR, he added that different zoning codes in different cities define FAR differently and confirmed that the plan is amendable. Councilmember Narum referenced 370 units in the plan; reported receiving an email that the Task Force was contemplating 370 new residential units in the core of the historic downtown and asked for clarification. Director of Community Development Beaudin reported the 370 units will be spread across the entire plan area, including the Civic Center site where 124 of those units have been contemplated. The remaining 246 will be spread across the 300 acre plan area. In response to Councilmember Narum's question as to whether a four-story building could be built in the historic downtown area, Director of Community Development Beaudin reported there are policies addressing two- and three-story structures and a four-story building could be built but it would take a lot of public process and discussion and staff would probably recommend denial. Councilmember Brown noted staff is asking for four-stories on the existing Civic Center property and Director of Community Development Beaudin clarified it is 46 feet with 300% FAR, similar to Main Street and would create an envelope for development, but it does not mean the City would have to accept it. Design criteria would be considered with the broader development concept. Councilmember Narum referenced ground-floor residential on Main Street and asked whether residential could be built behind an existing building fronting Main Street that is 100% commercial. Director of Community Development Beaudin stated that is not the intent. He explained if someone comes in with a proposal to redevelopment a parcel, they would have to maintain the commercial space. In response to Councilmember Narum regarding policies to help protect Main Street, Director of Community Development Beaudin reported the City's legislative effort focuses on protecting downtown. Councilmember Narum referenced the EIR regarding significant impacts on traffic and reduced levels of service and asked how that is reconciled with the impacts of adding more housing. Director of Community Development Beaudin noted it is a policy decision to use that level of service and the idea of having to dramatically change the character of downtown to address it is not viable at this time. He reported vehicle miles traveled is a different approach to managing traffic and it is the direction in which cities are being required to move. Regarding the Shell and Barone properties Councilmember Narum asked if they would have to do CEQA work in consideration of doing an overlay, Director of Community Development Beaudin reported there will be additional analysis required. He confirmed that the height and FAR in the existing commercial district on Main Street is not proposed to be changed. In reply to Councilmember Testa, Director of Community Development Beaudin reported additional analysis would have to be done and explained staff contemplated using existing zoning and assumptions about the rate of change for downtown which seemed reasonable based on the rate of development and changes seen in the area. Director of Community Development Beaudin addressed areas zoned as commercial and reported the Task Force and staff considered mechanisms to help bring the Main Street experience on to side streets. Councilmember Testa asked about entertainment amenities and Director of Community Development Beaudin reported the zoning that is in place allows for all of those uses, currently, there are no existing buildings to accommodate those uses and the parceling does not lend itself to a large grocery store or theater, but when the market is ready the City will be happy to accommodate them. He confirmed the 50 feet referenced is meant to be the store depth or the linear interior store space. Councilmember Testa asked about the impacts to Downtown if SB 50 passes and asked if there are additional vulnerabilities to the State legislation. Director of Community Development Beaudin explained it may relieve a lot of the pressure downtown; staff continues to look at how legislation will impact the community and stated residential is allowed across downtown. He addressed parking and the State's intent on reducing costs and staff has City Council Minutes Page 13 of 20 April 16, 2019