1986-04-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . Minutes - Plan Commission Page 2 April 15, 1986 neighborhood plans were neighborhood plans were the Comprehensive Plan. Residential Neighborhood neighborhood plans. included in not refined He further section of the Comprehensive Planj the various in terms that compared to the scope of stated that one of the strategies in the the Plan was development of various Chairman Hamilton stated that in the Preface of the Plan (p. 1), the authors stated that the Plan was "concerned with increasing population growth." The Chairman asked if this was a proper objective. Ms. Hillal stated that the reasoning behind the statement was developed in the Population Section of the Plan. Chairman Hamilton stated, however, that there was no discussion of increasing housing stock to accomodate an increased population. Councilmember Schoomer stated that at one time University City had hoped to maintain a population in excess of 50,000 for the purpose of qualifying for various federal programs. City Council and Staff now realize that this goal is not realistic and is now not necessary to quality for certain federal funding. Chairman Hamilton noted that he had made various corrections in the section on a Brief History in Planning in University City and would convey his comments to Planning Staff. He also noted that the section lacKed a conclusion. Mr. Goldman stated that the section on Commercial Areas, Preservation and Maintenance Of, would require a topic paragraph to tie the three subsections together. Chairman Hamilton inquired about the future of the Neighborhood Commercial Districts. (p. 12). He asked if the present businesses closed, would there be potential for long-run vacancies? He stated that this was an important issue and would need to be specifically addressed. He asked which option for marKeting the properties would be preferred: as strictly commercial property or for conversion to office space or residential uses. Mr. Goldman stated that the City would prefer to convert these spaces into offices or residences. Mr. Ollendorff stated that conversion to office space or residential space would be preferable because the City had not had much luck in keeping the Neighborhood Commercial District buildings up to code. Mayor-elect Majerus wondered if one option for the Neighborhood Commercial Districts might be razing the buildings and infilling the area with residential uses. Mr. Rice aSKed if the City would suffer any loss of tax revenue. Mr. Goldman stated that the City would not lose much revenuej the sales tax the City would receive would be consolidated in the tax pool and the owners of the businesses often lease from the property owner. Mr. Rice aSKed if the City decided to zone these properties more restrictively, would the zoning decision be challenged or could the City buy the property and then rezone it for a better use? Mayor-elect Majerus commented that the Recommendations for these areas should be broader in scope in order to allow for a variety of uses for the land.