CCMIN04162019 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mayor Thorne suggested adding a condition that if there will be an entrance on Main Street, they must also have a rear entrance. Ensuing discussion pertained to having no residential units in the Civic Center site, adding residential to downtown commercial properties. Director of Community Development Beaudin asked whether Council would support parking on the ground level for self-parked residential. MOTION: It was m/s by Brown/Narum to prohibit ground-floor residential behind commercial properties on mixed uses downtown, not including parking. Motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Brown, Narum, Testa, Mayor Thorne Noes: Councilmember Pentin Absent: None Discussion followed regarding the rationale behind prohibiting residential units behind the downtown commercial district including that the space could be used for parking and the area is already intensified. Councilmember Pentin stated opposition adding that the Task Force and the City have better options that could be worked through; suggested sending it back the Planning Commission to vet the matter further and make a recommendation to Council. In response to Councilmember Brown regarding the kind of business that would be successful at 50 feet in, Director of Community Development Beaudin explained it is a minimum threshold and reported 50 feet is a commonly used number, but it goes up to 75 feet, depending on the market and the kind of businesses. Mayor Thorne reiterated the City can meet its Housing Element in the General Plan without housing in the commercial district. City Manager Fialho clarified that when considering the downtown commercial core, Council must think about areas such as Railroad Avenue and Spring Street and noted the motion on the floor also applies to those properties. He suggested modifying the motion to apply it only to Main Street having less of an impact on existing property owners who have the ability to put residential behind commercial on Railroad Avenue, Spring Street and other areas. Councilmember Brown asserted each of the projects that come through where the applicant wants an exception, they can apply; adding that if the City wants to make a more vibrant downtown the City will have to take residential off some areas and place more retail. Director of Community Development Beaudin noted that if the City removes the policies that facilitate residential on the ground floor, the typical use of PUDs and mis-matched policy framework applies; the policy is clear, and zoning is for commercial, and residential on the ground floor would be removed. There would be less flexibility unless it is built into the plan as part of the update. City Manager Fialho clarified, what staff is saying on non-Main Street options, is that the only residential on Main Street would be above commercial. Councilmember Narum added it would make existing residential non-conforming and Councilmember Brown indicated they will be grandfathered in. City Council Minutes Page 17 of 20 April 16, 2019