05/27/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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- (1-B-7) (II-A-l) e (II-A-2) (II-A- 3) - Council should make the entire area R-2 or else deny the request. "Piece by piece does not make any sense". Allen R. Unkeles, 247 N. Grand property owner, felt that any proposed change should await further study. Too, he felt the traffic is now relatively light in the area. By connecting Grand with Polk, traffic will be increased which will mean heavier traffic by Whiteaker School. If Council reverses the Planning Commission decision, a joint meeting will be required. He does not feel it worthwhile to spend that much time on the issue now because it will be decided in the Whiteaker Community Plan. Cecil Strange, 335 N. Grand, mentioned talking with some of the older residents who said they did not want apartments in the neighborhood. When he asked why they signed the petitions, they answered they had been told it was for housing for elderly people. Mr. Strange also stated feeling "hemmed in" by the Safely rezoning. Public hearing was closed. Assistant Manager noted, in response to Mr. Cleveland's discussion of the Roosevelt Freeway, that the status of that freeway is awaiting update of the ESATS plan. Mr. Saul explained that, in reaching a decision to deny the request, a factor considered was the affect that the 1990 Plan had on proposed rezoning. The Planning Commission felt the plan indicated that this area was suitable for low-density residential use. In reference to the Safely rezoning, Mr. Saul mentioned that during those deliberations there was extensive debate at the Planning Commission and City Council levels over implications of the general plan diagram itself. It was the feeling that that area was not indicated in the plan diagram as being medium or low density. Mr. Bradley asked Mr. Cleveland if he could give any indication that the proposed R-2 zoning would be in conformance with the 1990 Plan since Mr. Saul explained it seemed to be in conflict. Pointing to maps, Mr. Cleveland noted that the context of the 1990 Plan reflects 8 specific goals. He feels they comply with 7 of the 8 and perhaps even the 8th, the concept of environmental planning, while the Safely area complies with all 8. Mary Gillespie, 277 N. Grand, stated she is the oldest person on the street to have owned her property that long. She favors the zone change, feeling that improvements upgpade the area tremendousl~ The record reflects that 73% of the Whiteaker Neighborhood is rental where the average for the city is 50%. Rentals of the nature they propose would not be unusual to this particular neighborhood. Mr. Murray moved seconded by Mr. Keller that the Council deny the appeal from the Planning Commission denial of the rezoning. Mr. Murray recalled that, under Fasano, there has to be a demonstration of public need. Many things argue against that public need. To say there is a large amount of R-2 zoned property in the immediate area is not to demonstrate public need but to raise a question that there may not be a public need. It should also be demonstrated the area is in compliance with the 1990 Plan. Anyone looking at the 1990 Plan diagram in that area can only conclude it is a myriad. There is not much opportunity left for low density. He would agree with comments made by staff regarding being in the midst of refinement plans that may resolve these issues. 2.~1.. 5/27/75 5