PC 09/25/85 - Laserfiche WebLink

Minutes Planning Commissio September 25, 1985 there is no problem with that but they used 25' as a guide to protect Main Street. It was then discussed that perhaps 25' should be used in the guidelines and not the ordinance because if it is in the ordinance it would be an absolute restriction. Commissioner Michelotti then discussed including residential units in the ordinance. Mr. Swift stated staff is not in favor of including residences in the ordinance because if you do so, an owner wouldn't be allowed to paint their home without prior City approval. Mr. Swift explained residents of the City have typically came out in opposition to this type of regulation. However, staff does apply "downtown" criteria when reviewing new residential development in the CDB. One of the reasons that the Antrim PUD has been continued is that it did not originally conform to the Downtown Design Guidelines. Commissioner Innes inquired about grandfathering the existing signs. Mr. Manning indicated that their committee agrees with the method stated in the staff report concerning amortization of signs. Vice Chairman Lindsey complemented the Committee for all of their work. Howard Sword, 534 St. Tomas Way, commented on the proposed ordinance. He indicated that when he presented the Vaughn PUD to the Committee, the major question was "what can we do to get developers to invest in the downtown area?" He felt that a 25' height limitation would not allow a two story structure. 32' is more the height required to accomplish such construction. He realizes the intent is not to dwarf the structures on Main Street. However, if taller structures were set back a block, they wouldn't dwarf the Main Street structures anyway. Mr. Sword took issue with the secondary structures being included as if a structure such as Main Street liquors that was next to Vaughn's PUD had been included in an ordinance, it would take a public hearing to demolish it and would become an obstacle in development. He is not convinced that for Peters and First Streets these guidelines and ordinance address the best use of the land. Commissioner Innes stated that it wouldn't take the board five seconds to determine a structure such as the liquor store mentioned by Mr. Sword to be torn down. Mr. Sword urged that the Guidelines stay as such as not be incorporated in an ordinance particularly with regard to the secondary structures. He didn't feel it was appropriate to include demolition as part of the ordinance. Commissioner Michelotti asked about the height limitations. Mr. Swift stated that the maximum height limitation in the CC District is 40' with a 300% FAR. Mr. Manning indicated that the Committee was of the opinion that two stories can be constructed within 25'. Commissioner Michelotti asked Mr. Manning if they would want the west side of Peters and the east side of First street to have height - 6 -