1989-01-25 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. . Minutes - Plan Commission Page 6 January 25, 1989 Mr. Rice seconded the motion which passed by a vote of 6-0. REQUEST TO IDA TO FUND PLANNING STUDY OF AREA NORTH OF CLAYTON BUSINESS DISTRICT Chairman McCauley called on Sarah Elwood, Zoning Administrator, to give Commission members details of the request for funding proposal. Ms. Elwood recalled for members the Commission's past discussions, most recently in July of 1988, of the potential for development in the area bounded by Hanley Road, North and South Road, Delmar Boulevard and the south City Limits (Planning Area #16 as identified at pp. 36 and 40 of the 1986 Comprehensive Plan). At its regular July meeting, the Plan Commission was asked to clarify its designation of Planning Area #16 as an area subject to redevelopment proposals and a development target area. Hr. Paul Londe had reviewed for members at that meeting his unrealized development efforts in the area and ventured his opinion, shared by the planning firm of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, that in order to interest high quality and unified development for this target area, the city should develop some planning parameters and identify the type of development the city would deem favorable. At the end of the July discussion Chairman McCauley and Commission members requested that the city planning staff return to the Commission with a course of action to define future development in the area including possible funding sources for plan development. Ms. Elwood continued by introducing the possibility that the University City Industrial Development Authority (IDA) may be interested in participating in this opportunity to promote development, especially commercial development within the city. The IDA has participated in improvement projects, loan funds and plan development in the past. With the Plan Commission's continuing concern for this designated area, the Commission may want to consider this avenue in order to better promote unified and controlled development should the potential arise. Chairman McCauley and Mr. Rice were both concerned about the possibility that residents of the area might perceive the study as disruptive to the neighborhood. Ms. Kreishman asked if prior to the Comprehensive Plan's recommendations for the area if a study had been conducted which led to those conclusions. Mr. Goldman responded that the area had been one of a few that had been considered for feasibility of high-rise, high-density development a number of years ago. Also, when the city had been presented with proposals for condominium development, the Planning Department, Plan Commission and City Council had responded with the regulations for the "PD"- Planned Development District which anticipated the establishment of high-quality multifamily residential and office uses. The city had found the "PD" regulations to be an imperfect tool, however, in responding to varied and piecemeal proposals. Mr. Kendall asked if this was a proper time to begin a study of the area since no development proposals were pending before the Commission. Mr. Goldman responded that the temporary hiatus in proposals was a good time to begin a study and prepare a policy for the area rather than create a pattern of reaction to each proposal. Mr. Rice moved that the Commission direct planning staff to meet with the staff of the Industrial Development Authority to explore the possibility of obtaining funding for a planning study and report back to the Commission the likelihood of obtaining such funding from the IDA. Ms. Kreishman indicated her preference that the Plan Commission be the entity to choose a consultant for conducting the study and oversee the consultant's interim recommendations. She felt that the consultant should assess whether and to what extent the area is ripe for change. After further consideration