1985-12-18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Minutes - Plan Commission Page 2 December 18, 1985 Chairman Hamilton called on Mr. Goldman to give a staff response to the rezoning request. Mr. Goldman stated that the parcel proposed for rezoning was situated next to a "LC" District-the most restrictive of all the City's commercial designations. Files from the past 28 years revealed no successful attempt to rezone residential parcels for commercial use on Delmar Boulevard. Given this policy against eroding of residential uses, he stated that there was no overriding reason to recommend rezoning in this case. Commission members took the opportunity to ask many questions of Mr. Albrecht. Mr. Rice asked if the buildings near the corner of Delmar and Hanley that appeared to be converted residences were ever residential uses. Mr. Goldman responded that those buildings had always been used for offices and other commercial uses. Mr. Kennedy asked Mr. Albrecht why he had chosen the specific location at 7717 Delmar Boulevard for a law office. Mr. Albrecht responded that the location was close to the Clayton Courthouse and that he was seeking to purchase office space to avoid rental increases. Ms Schuman stated that the commercial uses near the corner of Hanley and Delmar were not necessarily positive uses and that the alley separating 7717 Delmar from the Amoco Station on the corner of Delmar and North and South was a good buffer between the commercial and residential uses. Ms Cook asked Mr. Goldman if this particular property would be included in the proposed Special Development District. Mr. Goldman stated that the special development district boundaries were not fixed but that it would probably not be included. The Chairman asked Mr. Goldman if this proposed use was within the Special Development District guidelines. Mr. Goldman responded in the negative. Mr. McCauley expressed his concern that if the property was rezoned to "LC" that it could accomodate many other uses that the use here proposed. Chairman Hamilton stated that the Commission could not base its decision to rezone the property on the proposed use, but must look at the request to rezone on a worst case basis. After further discussion Mr. Kennedy moved to deny the request to rezone the property at 7717 Delmar from "MR" to "LC". Ms Schuman seconded the motion. Mr. Rice further stated there were mostly residential uses along Delmar, that they were well-maintained and attractive, and such a rezoning would create an unfortunate precedent and lead to more commercial uses along Delmar. After further discussion Mr. Kennedy's motion was adopted by a vote of 5-0 with 2 abstentions. Mr. Schoomer informed Mr. Albrecht that the Plan Commission's action was only advisory and that it was within the City Councils discretion or not to proceed with the request to rezone. Mr. Schoomer also suggested that if Mr. Albrecht were interested in office space in University City, he should get in touch with the University City Redevelopment Office, Mary Fahey, Executive Director.