05/08/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. . considered by the Historic Review Board. He said there are buildings dating to 1850 in the area and he personally had inspected six of 4IJ these and was quite impressed. The area has a good number of primary buildings (nine) and some secondary structures. He felt several of the issues about historic preservation had not been examined, i.e., the environment around and between the buildings. He felt the Planning Department memo, dated February 27, to be a biased report, lacking research on the historical criteria and guidelines. He favored Alternative 1 over Alternative 2 only because less density would be possible. However, he recommended the area is so important it should be considered by the Historic Review Board first, and not be acted upon with this proposal. Mayor Keller requested those in the audience who supported the refine- ment plan to indicate by standing; about 20 persons so indicated. Pu~lic hearing was closed, there being no further testimony presented. In response to Mr. McCoy's request to rebut, Mayor Keller said that was not the normal process and would not be followed at this time unless Council directed otherwise. It did not. In response to a question from Ms. Smith, John Porter, Director, Planning Department, said the recent ordinance passed by Council to allow historic designation is a very broad statement of review. Staff is researching background information for the Historic Review Board on ~ the use of the ordinance. Staff was reluctant to suggest to the ,., Planning Commission delays in action on the planning process until that is reviewed, because staff could not give any time frame. Again, he noted a shortage of funds and staff for the Historic Review Board hampers the work being completed any more quickly. Also, staff wishes to properly designate historic areas which takes considerable time. He said it.would be June or July before the matter reaches Council. Mr. Obie requested clarification regarding the rezoning on 5th near Adams Street from residential to commercial. He said there were some fairly substantial commercial buildings adjacent to the area on the south side of 5th, and wondered if it were possible to plan for medium- and high-density residential zoning there. Ms. Decker replied there is commercial property across the street but, in general, staff's position would be supportive of medium- and high-residential use in that area and not to continue expansion of commercial Uses. She noted prior or existing uses would not be affected by the plan as it is schematic and there are exceptions in these areas. Mr. Porter added the plan would not make a list of existing uses nonconforming in the area as it so full of mixed uses and that action would be very detrimental to established businesses. Mr. Obie referred to the 1990 document as evolving into a legal document rather than a guideline. He wondered if this refinement plan would be honed into specifics in the same way. Mr. Porter said tnat would be difficult to answer. This is the most complex neighborhood ~ 5/8/78--8 I . 321