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Session 1668, Minutes <br />June 3, 1996 <br /> <br />Page 5 <br /> <br />containers, increasing offstreet parking and preferably putting it in parking lots, shielding lighting from <br />adjacent residences, ~abmission of open space landscape development plans including play/recreation <br />areas, and the maximum limitation on density. He understood a new revised plan may be submitted. He <br />said perhaps all the conditions can only be met by removing one or more of the proposed buildings, <br />especially at the front west portion of the site. Approval may be granted if legally enforceable assurances <br />can be given that all of the suggested conditions will be met, he said. <br /> <br />Mr. David Dempsey, 325 DeBaliviere, attomey representing developer Louis Aboussie, noted the num- <br />ber of apartments has been reduced from 43 to 32, and the overall density is slightly above l0 units per <br />acre, which he said was low. He believed the set of restrictions were what the City wanted and that <br />attorney Shu Simon had approved it as to form. He said two changes that were made improved <br />cemetery access/egress. He said Mr. Goldman had also recommended changes that would increase the <br />offstreet parking spaces to 61. Another change agreed to would change one parking area so the refuse <br />area would be accessible to the appropriate side of the refuse vehicles. He said the developer will agree <br />to all the changes sugl~ested by Mr. Goldman in his memo of last week. A circular driveway recorded <br />as an easement will clear up questions of access to the cemetery; a water line to the cemetery will be in- <br />stalled as will a perimeter fence around the cemetery. He said the $3 million cost of this project should <br />ensure that the area will be properly maintained for many years; it also erases the question of what may <br />happen to the cemetery in the future. He pointed out tax abatement has not been requested for this pro- <br />ject, and rents would not be subsidized. It also replaces a deteriorating property with a fine development <br />that will stabilize the area. As for removing one of the buildings, he said it would ruin the economics <br />and the project probably would not be feasible. He said his client has attempted to meet every conceiv- <br />able City requirement, and he asked for a favorable vote. <br /> <br />Ms. Roselee Lipschitz, 1149 Burch Lane, who lives adjacent to the subject property, said she and her <br />neighbors will attend Council meetings until Council decides not to have this property developed by Mr. <br />Aboussie. She said there was not enough room on this property for the planned development, and the <br />density would be too high. <br /> <br />Ms. Linda Locke, 7340 Melrose, president of Musick Neighborhood Association (north of the proposed <br />development) suggested that the discourtesy shown by the developer to the adjacent neighborhoods may <br />be emblematic of his attitude toward the project and its location. She said neighbors felt this develop- <br />ment would not only not stabilize the area but would destabilize it in 10 or 15 years. Neighbors are very <br />concerned about puttiag more rental property in this area which will only increase the noise, density, <br />litter, etc., and decrease property values. Musick voted unanimously at its last meeting to oppose the <br />project, and if necessary, a petition could be circulated to back that up. Neighbors were also concerned <br />about the cemetery since children in the development may find it an "attractive nuisance." She urged <br />Council to deny this request even though it may have met all requirements, as it is not in the best <br />interests of University City nor adjacent neighborhoods. Mrs. Thompson asked if residents had met with <br />the developer. Ms. Locke said that has not been done as this is the first time the developer has attended; <br />however, neighbors have looked at the development plans previously submitted, and the density is <br />unacceptable. Mrs. Thompson asked if the neighbors could not now accept the plan since changes were <br /> <br /> <br />