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Commissioner Allen explained the six-month period for filling the space with active use <br /> business. <br /> Commissioner Pace questioned various businesses that would fall under active use. Ms. Clark <br /> explained the differently defined land use categories including office use versus personal <br /> services. She stated there was language authorizing the Director to allow for innovative uses. <br /> Commissioner Pace inquired whether the City could limit the percentage of certain types of <br /> businesses. Ms. Clark confirmed that some cities limited various types of businesses, but it <br /> was a complicated administrative process, for example requiring decisions about how many or <br /> whether a distance between would be required. <br /> Chair Brown mentioned allowing banks in downtown and difficulties with active and non-active <br /> uses in a single tenant space. <br /> Commissioner Nibert mentioned the Commission was discussing the matter due to the need <br /> for exceptions to active ground floor use requirement. He discussed the six-month exception <br /> process due to hardships or duress. <br /> Chair Brown explained the six-month exception process was intended to not create an undue <br /> burden to property owners while still encouraging active use. Ms. Clark confirmed the effort to <br /> balance hardship and active use. She reiterated the provision in the DSP that does not allow <br /> "grandfathering" of a non-active business allowed to occupy a space after a vacancy, instead <br /> requiring a new exception request if that space is subsequently vacated by the non-active <br /> business. <br /> Commissioner Nibert confirmed the substantive exception was not being changed and a <br /> property with a six-month vacancy could obtain approval to lease to a non-active use. He <br /> agreed with Commissioner Allen that a 100 percent requirement might be necessary. <br /> Chair Brown asked if the provisions or recommendations made to City Council, assuming <br /> those recommendations are approved, would be retroactively applied to Ms. Jasso's business. <br /> Ms. Clark stated currently the business does not have a zoning certificate nor business <br /> license, therefore, they are not authorized to operate; staff denied the application so the owner <br /> would need to re-apply for such use and if the application is received before the requirements <br /> are modified, staff would review the application keeping in mind comments heard during the <br /> Iron Horse Real Estate appeal at the February 10, 2021 Planning Commission meeting. Chair <br /> Brown inquired if there were any other pending applications for multi-use. Ms. Clark confirmed <br /> Ms. Jasso's was the only one. Chair Brown recommended the six-month term begin at <br /> completion or termination of lease, not abandonment or discontinuation of use. He agreed that <br /> it would be easier to simplify and require 100 percent. Ms. Clark referenced City Council's <br /> recommendation for the Commission to increase the percentage, but not necessarily to 100 <br /> percent. She confirmed the Commission could make that recommendation and City Council <br /> could accept or modify. Ms. Harryman stated it was the Commission's job to make <br /> recommendations based upon its determinations. <br /> Commissioner Nibert asked what flexibility would be allowed under the six-month vacancy if <br /> the percentage went from 60- to 100-percent. Ms. Clark explained that any use could be <br /> located on the property if the tenant space was vacant for more than six months. <br /> Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 of 9 July 28, 2021 <br />eetings but was <br /> discussed when the item was considered by the Chamber of Commerce and PDA. She stated <br /> other cities had allowed and some had excluded personal services. She summarized the <br /> discussion regarding massage businesses that arose during the Downtown Specific Plan <br /> (DSP) update, and concerns then about an overabundance of personal services. She <br /> Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 9 July 28, 2021 <br />