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Mr. Laiexplained the proposal and showed slides of the site and its surrounding properties. <br />The proposalwas for a rezoning of the former Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School <br />from “PA” Public Activity District to “HR” High Density Residential District. The site plan <br />provided with the application is solely for informational purposes and is not a requirement <br />for rezoning. Mr. Lai noted that at their meeting on July 20, 2017, the University City <br />Historic Preservation Commission endorsed the nomination of the existing school building <br />to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. <br />The applicant, Matthew Masielof Screaming Eagle Development,providedadescription <br />and background of the proposed rezoning.The proposed rezoning would allow for an <br />adaptive reuse of the now vacant school building into market-rate apartments and new <br />townhomes, as well as preserve a historic building. Mr. Masiel explained that the subject <br />property is currently under contract and that the proposed redevelopment includes 37 one- <br />and two-bedroom units in the former school building with ten new townhomes to be located <br />on the northern portion of the site, all of which will be market-rate units. He mentioned that <br />the amount of impervious parking surfaces in total will be reduced from its current condition <br />while the remaining parking surfaces will be resurfaced with added accessibility to the <br />proposed new townhomes. Mr. Masiel also describedhis intention to connect with the <br />community by proposing to extend the walking trail in Millar Park around the subject site. <br />Questions / Comments and Discussion by Plan Commission: <br />-Will asphalt be removed from behind the school as well as the circle drive in the front? Mr. <br />Masiel stated that asphalt will be removed behind the school, while the circle drive near the <br />east property line will remain as it is a financial burden to removeand it will help ease traffic <br />from the neighboring church. There is an easement with the neighboring Lutheran Church <br />on the circle drive. <br />-Will the mosaics in the school remain or be removed, specifically those near the water <br />fountains? Mr. Masiel stated that he intends to preserve as much as possible. <br />-There was discussion regarding the existing playground equipment and if it was to be <br />retained for the playground present on the site planor removed and donated. Mr. Masiel <br />stated that he does not intend to keep the existing playground equipment and that some <br />portions are damaged, although he would be happy to donate the existing equipment.He <br />further stated that upon considering the lack of three-bedroom units in the plan, the presence <br />of families with children residing at the subject is not expected. The space on the site plan <br />occupied by the playground would probably become an outdoor kitchen or pavilion amenity. <br />-Some Commission members questioned the intent of seeking a nomination for the National <br />Register of Historic Places per the staff report. Mr. Masiel stated that this designation would <br />help to preserve the historic character of the building with historictax credits. He noted that <br />his business frequently utilized the federal historic tax credit incentive to financially help <br />offer a higher-quality product and to provide decreased rents. It was also stated that the <br />timeline of the project is dependent on the designation on the National Register of Historic <br />Places in order to receive tax credits. <br />-Is the front driveway loop in the right-of-way or privately owned? Mr. Lai and Ms. Riganti <br />explained that it is not a public streetandisunder the school district, although it may appear <br />public because of the intersection and similar pavement as North Hanley Road. Mr. Masiel <br />Page 4 of 11 <br /> <br />