PC 01/22/97 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Cooper commended the applicants on an attractive plan, accomplishing the neo- traditional design. Through the General Plan process, it was the City's will to have a neo-traditional ~ design. The neo-traditional concept means that all residences to be accessible to the central area without getting on an arterial. This is why he opposes Plan 4; it violates the concept of free traffic flow. Regarding the noise on Kolln, Commissioner Cooper advised that higher noise levels are allowed in the front yards than in the rear yards. He cannot support the closure to Mohr Avenue in Plan 4. The Mohr/Martin streets are not being asked to have a higher traffic flow than other streets in the City. Commissioner Cooper sees no technical reason why this project should not go forward. It does not create a violation to the General Plan. The cut-through traffic on Kolln is severe enough that if Mohr has to get on more traffic, it will be less than what Kolln has currently. He would like to see the Commission vote on this project tonight. Commissioner Wright stated that he concurred with the statements of Commissioner Cooper. The applicants have worked very hard on this project. Plan 4 blocked access to the north, putting the EVA in the middle, it isolated the neighborhoods and funneled all traffic to the south. Direction from the Planning Commission was to revise Plan I to equalize the distribution of traffic throughout the community. Commissioner Wright will support the application and Plan 1. Commissioner Dove advised that they are asked to approve the project, however, it could be quite some time before this project is ever constructed, given the growth management issues before the City Council. He also advised that within the near future, the Planning Commission will be looking at plans that provide for the extension of Stoneridge to EI Charro. There are also plans in the Capital Improvement Plan to provide for the extension of Busch to EI Charro, and he would not assume this project would go forward without being reviewed in relation to these streets being extended. He also commented that everyone's input is being considered, and that everyone will have an opportunity to voice their opinion to the City Council, if this project is approved through the Planning Commission. Commissioner Lutz believes the revised Plan 1 accomplishes the objectives of General Plan, spreads the traffic out to meet the 3,000 ADT, and carries out what was requested at the December '96 meeting. He feels it should develop into a very nice neighborhood. There are a large number of emotional issues connected with this project; however, he feels constrained to look at the technical issues of the project. The emotional/political issues should be addressed to the City Council. Commissioner Lutz feels it would be helpful if the City Council would give first priority to determining the annual growth management numbers. When the growth management number is decided, a development can proceed slowly without overwhelming the neighborhoods, schools, etc. Commissioner Lutz would like the Planning Commission to recommend this be the first priority of the City Council. Without solving the growth management of the General Plan, the City Council will reject projects and the public is likely to go to a referendum. Chair Barker feels a mistake was made with putting houses facing onto Mohr because now they are angry with traffic impacts with the development of Busch property. There are too many outstanding issues with this project. She doesn't think the project is ready to move forward. She feels most of the residents don't want the pain to be severe, but they are willing to share the burden of the traffic. The City must fix the major arterials first before moving forward with the design of this project. Also, she does not feel the public hearing is the correct format to reach a compromise. The residents should have a staff advocate to provide them with accurate data. Chair Barker feels the process is Planning Commission Minutes Page 14 January 22, 1997