PC 04/26/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioners Hovingh and McGuirk asked staff about the Downtown Guidelines. Mr. Iserson stated they are still in effect and are applied whenever they can be to downtown design decisions. Staff will continue to follow them in subsequent projects. Moreover, the guidelines are specifically referred to in the Zoning Ordinance, which requires that staff and the Planning Commission follow them. As to the language specifics of "should" or "shall", Mr. Beougher advised the Commission must rely on the expertise of the planners to apply the specific guidelines and ordinances. Commissioner Dove asked if the Downtown Association was involved in the writing of the guidelines. Mr. Iserson assumed they were, knowing that a community-wide committee was involved in the process. The Commissioners began to summarize their opinions of the project. Commissioner Barker is concerned with the amount of parking available, making a compromise with parking and extending the tloor area. She prefers the idea of dining up off the street level, likes the present design of the main entrance, and likes the building style and color choice. She is agreeable to the turret design, the proposed landscaping, and the two driveways on Ray Street to facilitate traffic flow. Chairman Wright inquired if some of the parking spaces were to be marked for compact cars. Mr. Iserson feels they currently propose 40% compact spaces, the maximum allowed by Code. Chairman Wright feels the patio brick wall should be lowered to afford a viewing plane to the seated dining patrons or install brick columns with wrought iron panels in between. Commissioner Hovingh requested an acceptable grading plan be submitted to staff by the applicant. He feels the turret design/height should be reversed. He also likes the look of the sandblasted signs. Commissioner Hovingh recommends staff select a parking alternative as well as making the decision on the Ray Street improvements (if the applicant is unwilling to do so). He would also like the landscape drawings updated to reflect the Ray Street frontage improvements. Commissioner Hovingh requested staff to re-examine the project against the Downtown Design Guidelines. He also agrees with the second story structural loading. Commissioner Barker wondered why the applicant should be required to do the second story loading if there will be insufficient space once the stairways, elevators, etc. are added. Chairman Wright feels it should be done because another owner in the future may have a different use for the building and may be able to redesign the building to make a second story workable. Commissioner McGuirk's opinion of grade level windows are conducive to window shopping, not restaurant dining. He feels the front entrance is lost with all the windows, but Planning Commission Minutes Page 13 April 26, 1995