Item 3: PH on Ordinance Regarding State Motor Pool Metro Plan Amendment and Zone Change

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"Building a Downtown" policies: Facilitate downtown redevelopment by re-designating and rezoning underutilized properties, such as surface parking lots, to a commercial land use designation and a commercial zone such , as C-2 or C-3. (Policy 2) The proposed zone change furthers this policy direction. Currently, the property is a surface parking lot zoned Industrial (1-2). It is the type of "underutilized" downtown property that this policy was specifically crafted to address. A zone change to Commercial (C-2) would support implementation of this policy. "Living Downtown" policies: Stimulate multi-unit housing in the downtown core and on the edges of downtown for a variety of income levels and ownership opportunities. (Policy 1) The current industrial zoning of the site does not allow multi-unit housing. A zone change from Industrial (1-2) to Commercial (C2) makes multi-unit housing possible at this site, furthering this policy goal. The parcel is included in the Multi-Unit Property Tax Exemption Area Boundary (MUPTE) and in the Vertical Housing Tax Exemption Zone Area (Map 2), where development qualifies for incentives for high density housing downtown. Reinforce residential use in neighborhoods abutting the commercial core to help contain commercial activity in downtown and maintain the historic character and livability of adjacent neighborhoods. (Policy 2) The proposed zone change would have a neutral to positive effect on neighborhoods abutting the commercial core. In making additional land available downtown for higher density development, the proposal promotes the containment of higher density housing and commercial uses to the downtown area, preserving surrounding neighborhoods. In doing so, the zone change would be consistent with this policy. The policies in the Downtown Plan arguably support both high density residential and commercial development of the subject parcel. However, wJ;1ile residential uses on this site would be supported by the Plan, there is strong policy basis for a commercial designation, as noted in B-D Policy 2: "Facilitate downtown redevelopment by re-designating and rezoning underutilized properties, such as surface parking lots, to a commercial land use designation and a commercial zone such as C-2 or C- 3. " A C-2 zone does not mandate residential development, but allows a mix of commercial and residential development. Based on the above.discussion, staff finds that the proposed zone change to C-2/ND is consistent with the policies in the Downtown Plan. Further, the zone change will not remove the Transit Oriented Development overlay zone from the subject property, and will add the Nodal Development overlay zone anticipated in the 2004 adoption of the Downtown Plan, all actions that support the compact, mixed use land patterns envisioned in the Downtown Plan. (3) The uses and density that will be allowed by the proposed zoning in the location of the proposed change can be served through the orderly extension of key urban facilities and services. The following key urban facilities and services, as defined in the Metro Plan, are currently available to the subject property, or can be extended in an orderly and efficient manner to serve future development: wastewater service, stormwater service, water service, fire and emergency medical services, police protection, city-wide parks and recreation programs, electric service, land use controls, communication facilities, and public schools on a district-wide basis. Details related to p()() I ,'^ 12^2006 1. 2 of ] -3