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Session 1718, Minutes March 30, 1998 Mr. Bob Wagner stated that rezoning Single Residential neighborhoods is one of the most difficult dilemmas that the Council face. A city that cannot attract investors and development projects, as well as new residents, will ultimately lose revenues and population. Once in this state, it becomes increasingly hard to maintain infrastructure, city services and code enforcement, and there will result an inevitable general decline in quality of life and property values for all of us. We must seek out and encourage development investment in our City. On the other hand, when we change the zoning map to accommodate massive, high rise buildings abutting residential homes, we come to the big dilemma. Mr. Wagner believes our neighborhoods are our greatest asset as a city. Rezoning them is often perceived as upsetting a delicate organism that is the neighborhood and the residents feel powerless to protect their future. He believes our Comprehensive Plan is deficient in sensitivity to these issues. Our zoning code has reasonable numbers for broad application, but our process is too brusque and inflexible for making significant adjustments on a case by case basis. We too often approach these protested rezoning events with the attitude of "Why shouldn't we approve this project?" when we should be asking "Why should we allow this to proceed in this neighborhood?" As before, he finds it a difficult call on this one. He thinks that if we approve this rezoning, as it seems we will, this case calls for careful consideration of all mitigating effects and conditions that the residents are bringing to us. Mayor Adams wished to thank all the residents who came out this evening to speak on this issue, both opponents and proponents. He also wished to thank our neighbors from Ladue who came to our Council meeting. He thinks it is great for a City Council to meet at a time where most citizens can talk to their elected officials. AGENDA #3: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - #1 MCKNIGHT PLACE: Mr. Ollendorff concurs with the unanimous Plan Commission recommendation that the Conditional Use Permit Amendment be approved for a 53 apartment addition to this outstanding retirement facility. The plan demonstrates continued dedication to excellence for present and future Gatesworth residents combined with sensitivity to the neighbors and their property. Approval should be subject to a series of conditions which help to insure compliance with our City's zoning and related ordinances, enhancement of the neighborhood, and protection against adverse consequences. Conditions include rezoning, conformity with revised open space standards; constructions in accordance with use permit plans; employee and ancillary parking on site and off Barby Lane; convenience, retail and other ancillary uses as strictly limited by Zoning Code Section 34-34.4; parking lot and lighting conforming in every detailed respect to the zoning law - no more allowable boundary requirement exception; detailed landscape plan maximizing attractive appearance, adjacent property screening and