HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-04-20 City of Mankato Deowntown Design Review District CY 03 -95
04/20/95
• ORDINANCE . . . ADOPTION OF DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW DISTRICT . . .
SECTION 10.19 . . . PLANNING AGENCY
The Planning Commission tabled this request at their January meeting and
directed staff to meet with the affected property owners in an effort to
address their concerns regarding the proposed district.
Staff met with the property owners on March 15, 1995. A copy of the meeting's
minutes are attached.
Before the meeting, staff had made several changes to the district standards
based on comments received at the Planning Commission meeting in January. One
of the significant changes was that the majority of reviews would only be
triggered by those activities requiring a building permit. The first draft
contained several activities, such as painting, which do not require a
building permit but would be required to be reviewed. Another change was that
the expansion or exterior alteration of existing development must conform to
the appearance and design of the existing building rather than specific design
standards contained in the ordinance for new buildings. The changes addressed
many of the concerns of those present at the meeting.
Some issues raised at the meeting include the dollar amounts of activities
requiring Planning Commission review and the reconstruction of nonconforming
buildings. It was suggested that the level at which activities are forwarded
to the Planning Commission be raised from $100,000 to $500,000. Another
concern was whether or not an existing building which is destroyed by fire or -
wind could be rebuilt to its preexisting design or would the reconstruction be
subject to the new ordinance.
The attached draft is similar to the one presented to the property owners at
the informational meeting; however, staff added a section regarding the
reconstruction of nonconforming structures. Staff believes that the attached
draft addresses many of the concerns of the property owners, while still
retaining provisions which will carry out the purpose and intent of the
district.
Recommendation
Staff recommends adoption of the Design Review District.
Attachments
1. General Location Map
2. Minutes - March 15, 1995, Information Meeting
3. Design Review District Standards
•
•
City of Mankato
Downtown Design Review District
Section 10.19. Downtown Design District
Subd. 1. Statement of Purpose
The City of Mankato's Downtown District, defined on the Official Zoning Map, is
intended to be the community's "show case" business and civic district. The City
Council finds that the area's visibility, private and public assets, and economic
importance gives rise to the need for a special approach to the development of this
area.
Subd. 2. Application - Certificate of Design Compliance
A Certificate of Design Compliance shall be required for all construction activities,
including all street and utility activities, within the Downtown Design District. The
purpose of the Certificate of Design Compliance is to insure that development activity
will enhance the visual and aesthetic character of the Downtown area in accordance
with the Riverfront 2000 Plan and the design framework set forth in this document.
• The application of this Section shall apply to the following:
(a) The expansion and exterior alteration of buildings, existing on the
effective date of this ordinance, when said expansion or exterior
alteration requires a building permit. In such case, the expansion or
exterior alteration shall be compatible in material, color, scale and
architectural features with the existing building.
(b) The construction of new buildings;
(c) Moving a building;
(d) Demolition of a building;
(e) Adding or removing landscaping plantings in excess of 100 square feet
in area;
(f) Erection of signs;
(g) All mobile and/or seasonal concession vehicles/stands located within the
Downtown area which effectively become permanent structures by
remaining immobile at the same location for more than three hours in
any 24 hour period; and
•
Section 10.13, Subd. 19 - Design Review Standards
Page2of7
• Subd. 3. Application and plans
An application for a Certificate of Design Compliance shall be submitted to the
Planning Director for any activity in the Downtown Design District listed in
Subdivision 2. Prior to the filing of an application for a certification of design
compliance, the developer shall meet with the Planning Director, or his/her designee,
for informal discussions regarding the proposed development. As far as practical, the
Planning Director will advise the developer as to the extent the proposed development
conforms to the established design criteria set forth and suggest possible plan
modification.
Such form of application shall be supplied by the City's Division of Planning and
Development Services. The application shall be accompanied by detailed plans for the
proposed activity. Such plans shall at a minimum, include:
(a) Description of site;
(b) Area of site (in square feet or acres);
(c) Date, north arrow, and scale (1:20, 1:50 or 1:100);
(d) Name and address of person(s) preparing the plan;
(e) Key map showing the site location and existing structures within 100
feet of the site.
• (f) Scaled footprint of main building and all accessory structures.
(g) On -site open space and landscaped areas, including plat species,
fencing, and other landscape amenities;
(h) Location of on -site parking facilities;
(i) Loading and servicing areas;
(j) Scale drawings of all proposed building elevations, including roof plan.
Drawings shall include notes on building materials and color samples;
(k) Floor plans to scale;
(1) Sign plans; showing materials, colors and test at scale.
(m) Perspectives, model or other suitable graphic materials as required.
1. Exceptions. The following activities shall not be required to submit the above plan
items provided that sufficient information is provided for a determination to be made
by the Planning Director regarding the compliance of the activity:
(a) The expansion and alteration of the exterior of buildings that exist on the
effective date of this ordinance.
(b) Erection of signs.
(c) All mobile and/or seasonal concession vehicles/stands located within the
Downtown area which effectively become permanent structures . by
remaining immobile at the same location for more than three hours in
any 24 hour period; and
Section 10.13, Subd. 19 - Design Review Standards
Page 3 of 7
• Subd. 4. Plan Review
Upon receipt of a completed application for a Certificate of Design Compliance, the
Planning Director shall forward the application to the Planning Commission if the
estimated cost of the activity outlined in the application exceeds $100,000. For
activities with an estimated cost of less than $100,000, the Planning Director shall be
responsible for undertaking an expeditious and timely review to determine whether
the proposed project meets the intent and requirements of this section. For activities
with an estimated cost of more than $100,000, the Planning Commission, shall review
the activity to determine whether the proposed project meets the intent and
requirements of this section. If the cost of the activity exceeds $500,000, the Planning
Commission shall forward a recommendation to the City Council regarding the
activity's compliance with this Section.
Subd. 5. Issuance of Certificate of Design Compliance
The City Council, after receiving the recommendation of the Planning Commission,
may issue a Certificate of Design Compliance for any of the activities listed in
Subdivision 2. The City Council shall have the sole authority for issuing certificates
for all new developments or significant redevelopments of property.
The Planning Commission may issue Certificates of Design Compliance for any
activity listed in Subdivision 2 for which the estimated cost is less the $500,000. The
Planning Director may issue a Certificate of Design Compliance for any activity listed
in Subdivision 2 for which the estimated cost is less than $100,000. The Planning
Director or Planning Commission may refer any application for a Certificate of Design
Compliance to the City Council for review.
The City Council, Planning Commission, and Planning Di shall issue a
Certificate of Design Compliance only if there is a formal finding that the activity
complies with the provisions of this Section. No building permit shall be issued for
any activity listed in Subdivision 2 unless a Certificate of Design Compliance has been
issued. If more than 60 days have elapsed since the completed application is
submitted to the Planning Director, and no finding has been given to the applicant as
to whether the activity outlined in the application complies with this Section, the
application will be automatically approved and an application for a building permit
may be submitted.
In the event the activity outlined in the application is found not to comply with the
provisions of this Section, the applicant shall be notified of the finding within ten (10)
days of the reviewing body's decision. The notification shall include the finding of the
reviewing body and a recommendation as to how the activity could be altered to
• comply with the provisions of this Section.
Section 10.13, Subd. 19 - Design Review Standards
41 1 Page4of7
Subd. 6. Design Framework Established
A design framework for the Downtown Design District is hereby established to serve
as a basis for design review in the district.
The primary goal of the design framework is to foster the "sense of place" within the
Downtown Design District. To achieve this, the design framework presents specific
objectives that will enhance the Downtown Design District's character, assure
harmonious new development, and strengthen the area's cohesiveness and
attractiveness. The Council finds that compliance with the objective's as set forth in
this section will strengthen property values and protect the private and public
investments made within the Downtown Design District.
The standards and guidelines set forth in this design framework are intended to
encourage sensitive architectural rehabilitation and preservation of the older
significant buildings as well as establish standards for new developments which
emphasize harmonious and unifying architectural design that will tie the entire
district together.
• 1. Urban Design. To refine and/or enhance the most desirable characteristics of the
Downtown Design District, the following urban design concepts shall apply:
2. Acceptable Exterior Building Materials. Exterior building material shall consist
of traditional high quality materials, including: •
1. Brick and mortar;
2. Cut limestone or other natural stone;
3. Pre -cast concrete units and concrete block, provided the surfaces are molded,
serrated examples or treated with a texture material in order to give the
wall surface a three - dimensional character;
4. Synthetic stucco and architectural panels;
5. Glass; and
6. Weather - resistant metal accents or other metal determined to satisfy the
intent of this section.
The City Council reserves the right to withhold approval if it that a exterior
building material does not meet the intent of this section.
3. Colors. Colors are an important element of the overall design concept for the
downtown area and should be complementary to the Downtown Design District's
• showcase building, the Mankato Civic Center /Arena, or other historic and significant
buildings in the vicinity.
•
• Section 10.13, Subd. 19 - Design Review Standards
Page 5 of 7
4. Building Mass and Height. Development proposals shall not degrade the
appearance or function of other buildings in the area due to the developments building
mass and/or height.
5. Architectural Features. Architectural features which create a sculptural or three
dimensional quality such as marquees, balconies, grill work, sculpted keystones,
caryatids, detailed cornices, brackets, niches and awnings are encouraged. Such
ornamentation also furthers the urban design goal of adding scale and texture to the
district. However, these features shall be in keeping with the overall architectural
style of the building and the character of the Downtown Design District.
6. Landscaping and Lighting. New developments in the Downtown Design District
will incorporate open areas accessory to the main building. Courtyards and plazas are
encouraged. As far as practical, open areas shall be landscaped with a combination
of trees, shrubs, flowers and ground cover, decorative wrought iron fencing. Surface
parking lots containing over ten parking stalls shall incorporate landscaping which
comprises 10 percent of the parking lot area.
Lighting standards along sidewalks or in open spaces and plazas shall be similar to _
fb lighting standards found along Hickory Street in the vicinity of the Mankato Civic
Center and Arena. Lighting standards in parking lots and lots illuminated by
building surface mounted lights may use an alternative fixture with the approval of
the Planning Director. Decorative standards are encouraged for parking lots but a
"shoe box" type fixture or other fixture may be approved provided it does not exceed
forty (40) feet in height.
7. Visual Connections and Gateways. It is recognized in the Riverfront 2000 plan
that several areas in the Downtown Design District serve as gateways to the
downtown area. In addition, the public roadways in the downtown area serve as
visual connections. These visual connections serve as visual access between structural
elements in the downtown area (for example, South Riverfront in the vicinity of the
Depot and Civic Center), and visual connections between the downtown core and
adjoining land use districts or significant buildings located outside of the area (for
example, Jackson Street which serves as a visual connection between Mankato Place
and the Old Main Building).
Visual connections and gateways are important to the perception of the downtown
areas and development proposals shall be reviewed on the basis as to how the
corridors and gateways will be impacted. New landscaping, building construction, or
building alteration, shall be designed to not unduly block or compromise connections
• or gateways.
Section 10.13, Subd. 19 - Design Review Standards
• Page 6 of 7
8. Signs. Signs shall conform to district standards as set forth in Section 10.36 of the
City Code. Neon, wall signs consisting of individual letter, projecting sculptural or
carved signs with wrought iron brackets, and decorative banners and flags are
encouraged.
9. Downtown Design Area Supplement. The Planning Commission shall develop and
recommend to the Council a Downtown Design Area Supplement that will serve as a
guideline for the implementation of the design framework.
Subd. 7. Special Review Considerations
1. Because of the varying characteristics of the land uses allowed and adjacent
uses, projects must be viewed in the context of existing and planned
developments. The Council may impose special design requirements upon a
proposed use in order to mitigate against undue negative impacts on
surrounding uses;
2. When considering the aesthetics of a development proposal, it should be
• recognized that development must maintain their economic viability if any
improvements are to be made in the district;
3. Review of activities in the Downtown Design District should be mindful of the
need and requirements for handicapped accessibility in its review of
development proposals;
4. The forgoing urban design guidelines are in no way intended to create
uniformity which would result in an uninteresting and contrived appearance.
New developments and alterations to existing structures which add to the
variety of compatible uses, harmonious visual images, and rich sensory
experiences of the district are encouraged.
Subd. 8. Nonconforming Buildings
Buildings existing on the effective date of this ordinance which are considered
nonconforming under the design framework contained in Subdivision 6, may continue
in their present appearance and design. Any such nonconforming structure which is
damage or destroyed by any means not within the control of the owner, may be
repaired or restored to its preexisting condition provided that if the structure is
destroyed by more than 50 percent of its market value before destruction or damage,
said structure shall conform to the use, bulk, density, and height provisions of this
• Chapter (Zoning Ordinance).
MINUTES
. DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW MEETING
Mankato Civic Center - VIP Room 279B
March 15, 1995 - 3:OOpm
Staff Present: Larry Forsythe, Director of Planning & Development Services
Paul Vogel, Associate Planner /Zoning Administrator
Diane Biedscheid, Staff Assistant, Planning & Development
Services
Public Present: Doug Anderson, Holiday Inn & 111 E. Cherry St.
Bob Barnett, Barnett Photography, 100 Minnesota St.
Lois Barnett, Barnett Photography, 100 Minnesota St.
Tom Borchert, Mankato Citizens Telephone Co., 221 E. Hickory St.
Ken Bunde, Homeowner, 221 S. Broad St.
Bruce Carlson, Cargill, 200 N. Riverfront Dr.
Dick Clarksean, TCF Bank, 325 S. Broad St.
Ron Doty, TJ Finnegan's Pub, 520 S. Front St.
Joe Hager, Farm & Gustafson Plumbing & Heating, 228 Poplar St.
Dawn Fazio, The Free Press, 418 S. 2nd St.
Nancy Green, Mankato Place/Mankato Parking Corp,
• 101 E. Hickory St.
Nancy Hamer, 217 Walnut St.
Jack D. Higginbotham, Rental Property, Broad & Hickory Streets
Bernie Hogan, Miller Motors, 518 S. Front St.
Gary Hopfensperger, Kentucky Fried Chicken, 403 S. Broad St.
Chas. "Gus" Johnson, Johnson Anderson & Zellmer, 600 S. 2nd St.
Suzette Johnson, Johnson Anderson & Zellmer, 600 S. 2nd St.
Jeff Kagermeier, KSPA Architects, Inc., 526 S. 2nd St.
Sara R. Kahn, Midwest Food, 304 N. 2nd St.
Bernadine Kopischke, Homeowner, 218 N. 4th St.
Gary Kratzke, Matt J. Graif Building, 101 E. Hickory St.
Dean Lavitschke, Love -It Furniture, 124 E. Walnut St.
Joe Leonard, Holiday Inn, 101 E. Main St.
Toni Louwagie, American Building Properties
Phyllis Mullin, Homeowner, 315 E. Jackson St.
Alice Nelson, Homeowner, 325 E. Hickory St.
Lee Nordgren, Artcraft Camera & Photography, 408 S. Front St.
Elouise Olson, YWCA, 603 S. 2nd St.
Julie A. Peterson, YWCA, 603 S. 2nd St.
Daryle Pomranke, North Star Concrete, 240 Mound Ave.
Warren P. Smith, Survey Services, 531 S. Front St.
Glenn Thompson, Happy Chef Systems, 500 S. Front St.
Jim Ulman, Happy Chef Systems, 500 S. Front St.
Cornelius F. Votca, 119 Allan Ct.
Douglas Willaert, Homeowner, 322 N. Broad St.
Section 10.13, Subd. 19 - Design Review Standards
fa Page 7 of 7
Subd. 9. Sequence of Approval of Applications for both a Certificate of
Compliance and Conditional Use Permit or Variance
An application for a Certificate of Design Compliance shall be reviewed by the Council
concurrent with the consideration of an application for a conditional use permit or
variance for the same activity.
Subd. 10. Violations
If any building or structure is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired,
or converted in a violation of this subdivision, the City may institute any proper action
or proceedings and shall have police power to prevent the occupancy of the building.
Subd. 11. Fees
An applicant for a Certificate of Design Compliance shall pay a non refundable filing •
fee in connection with the submittal of the application. Activities with an estimated
cost of less than $100,000 shall not be required to pay a filing fee. Activities with an
estimated cost between $100,000 and $500,000 shall pay a non refundable filing fee
• of $75. Activities with an estimated cost of more than $500,000 shall pay a non
refundable filing fee of $100.
Subd. 12. Other Regulations Applicable
The regulations contained in this Section shall be deemed to be in addition to zoning
district standards contained in this Code and other applicable laws, ordinances, rules
and regulations. Where conflicts occur, the most restrictive regulations shall apply.
dre5
•
CY 14 -95
04/20/95
pg 2 of 3
Site Plan Review Committee
• The Site Plan Review Committee reviewed the request on April 18, 1995, and
recommended approval with the condition that the necessary easements be
reflected on the final plat.
Review
The applicant is proposing to subdivide his property located on the corner of
Ruth Street and North Riverfront Drive. The applicant is requesting
preliminary and final plat review.
Currently, the property is considered one development parcel and contains ten
separate buildings. The applicant plans to subdivide the property into four
separate lots. Lot 1 contains the main building for Custom Home Improvers and
two cold storage buildings. One of the cold storage buildings is•split
between Lots 1 and 2. Lot 1 will be retained by the owner. Lot 2 contains
another main building serviced by water and sewer, a cold storage building,
and part of building shared with Lot 1. Lot 3 contains three cold storage
buildings._ None of these buildings are served by water and sewer, but water
and sewer is available in Ruth Street. Lot 4 contains one cold storage
building and the lot does not have direct access to a public right -of -way.
The applicant plans to sell Lot 4 to Southern Valley Coop which owns adjacent
property located to the west.
Several issues which still must be addressed include:
• 1. Easements are currently dedicated, but not reflected on the plat.
Easements exist in all the vacated alleys and streets, and a 50 foot wide
easement exists from Ruth Street across the old railroad property to the
west. Some of the easements in the former alleys and streets should be
vacated since they now lie under existing buildings and are not needed.
2. Lot 2 has dual zoning, with the east half being zoned B -3 and the west
half zoned M -1. A rezoning request should be submitted to bring the
entire property under one district.
3. The City Engineer has indicated that the former railroad right -of -way to
the north of Lot 4 should be included in the plat. The railroad
right -of -way is currently part of the same abandoned right -of -way which
extends through Mr. Dickmeyer's property and was only recently sold by
the railroad to adjacent property owners.
4. Since some of the buildings will be split by lot lines and others will
have zero setbacks from lot lines, fire separation requirements under the
building code must be addressed. Depending on the type of use, one to
two hour fire separations may be necessary and there will be restrictions
on building openings.
Recommendation
• Staff recommends approval of only the preliminary plat with the following
conditions:
1. Easements shall be reflected for all existing utility lines.
Downtown Design Review Meeting - 3/15/95
Minutes - Page 2 of 5
• Mr. Forsythe briefly described the proposed draft ordinance of the Downtown Design
Review District and outlined the suggested district boundaries. He stated that the
City Council has requested staff to draft a downtown design review district ordinance
that will be acceptable to the Council and the downtown property owners, while
accomplishing the goal of maintaining aesthetically compatible growth and
development in the downtown area. He also summarized concerns about the
proposed ordinance that have been expressed to staff by interested parties.
Mr. Forsythe stated that while it is perceived by some that the ordinance will cause
de- valuation of property, historically this type of ordinance has had the opposite
effect. The district is not designed to prohibit or stop growth, but to encourage
aesthetically compatible growth and development.
Mr. Vogel reviewed the major differences between the original draft ordinance and
the current draft being proposed. He stated that in the first draft, property owners
were most concerned about being required to obtain a Certificate of Design
Compliance from the Planning Director for items such as remodeling, repairing, or
altering structures or improvements in any manner which changed their exterior
appearance, including, but not limited to, sandblasting, chemical cleaning and
painting, siding, and alterations of the roofline; Adding or removing landscaping
exceeding four feet in height or 100 sq. ft. in area; and Other activities as determined
• by the Planning Director.
To accommodate those concerns, staff amended some of the qualifying conditions in
the current draft ordinance to the expansion and exterior alteration of buildings,
existing on the effective date of the ordinance, when said expansion or exterior
alteration requires a building permit. In such case, the expansion or exterior
alteration shall be compatible in material, color, scale, and architectural features with
the existing building; Adding or removing landscaping plantings in excess of 100 sq.
ft. in area; and deleted the wording, [and] "other activities as determined by the
Planning Director.
Mr. Vogel explained that the purpose of the ordinance is mainly to address new
development and redevelopment in areas already developed. He stated that the
current draft is tailored to new development.
Mr. Vogel then reviewed and explained other items changed from previous drafts to
the current draft ordinance. He specifically reviewed Subd. 4, Plan Review; Subd. 5,
Issuance of Certificate of Design Compliance; and Subd. 10, Fees.
Mr. Forsythe then opened the floor for questions and comments from the public.
• Bernie Hogan, Miller Motors, was concerned about not being able to choose such
minor exterior finishes as paint color for his building, and asked for further
explanation. Mr. Vogel explained that that condition has been removed from the
current draft, and that the ordinance mainly addresses items that would require a
building permit. Painting does not require a building permit.
Downtown Design Review Meeting - 3/15/95
Minutes - Page 3 of 5
•
Mr. Hogan asked why a downtown design review district gn d strict is necessary, since most
vacant parcels downtown are owned by the City. Mr. Vogel explained that once a
building on City -owned property is designed and the property sold, the new owner
can do whatever he /she wants with the building and property. Mr. Forsythe added
that the design review district regulations would apply to City -owned properties and
buildings as it would to anyone else owning property in the downtown design review
district.
Mr. Forsythe explained that one of the main reasons the Council requested staff to
draft the proposed ordinance was because of a downtown hotel proposal they received
that included a concrete block exterior finish in the design. The Council felt that the
proposed exterior building design would not be aesthetically compatible with existing
downtown development; and subsequently requested the developer to redesign the
exterior finish to one more compatible with existing downtown development. The
developer felt the proposed concrete block building would look just fine downtown and
did not alter the plan and is now looking at a privately owned site downtown where,
without the downtown design review district regulations, would be able to construct
the block building.
Mr. Hogan stated he is opposed to applying rules to downtown businesses that are
• not applied to businesses on the hill. He stated that he wants to be able to operate —
in a free market. Although Mr. Forsythe stated that the downtown design review
regulations would not be chiseled in stone and could be changed if it is found they
aren't working, Mr. Hogan felt that once this type of ordinance is on the books it is
very difficult to remove. Mr. Hogan stated that he feels new development should be
controlled and existing businesses should be grandfathered in. He added that he
wants to keep the downtown vital, and feels that the downtown design review district
would hamper the sale of properties.
Joe Hager, Farm & Gustafson Plumbing & Heating, stated that they were required
to put up a brick or stone exterior building when they constructed their building, and
asked why the rules would need to be duplicated. Mr. Forsythe explained that their
building was constructed during Urban Renewal and it was a requirement for all
buildings being constructed; however, those standards no longer apply.
Lois Barnett, Barnett Photography, stated that she thought the City preferred to
lease property to developers rather than sell it, and if that is the case, they could
control the property. Mr. Forsythe explained that that was a more prevalent practice
during times of Urban Renewal; however, now the City is trying to "prime the pump"
for downtown development and increase the value of downtown property; therefore,
the City is willing to be more flexible with the sale or lease of downtown properties.
• Ms. Barnett also stated that they do not like being told what they can and cannot do
with their property. She felt property owners should be given incentives to improve
their properties. She stated that while they agree with what the City is trying to do,
Downtown Design Review Meeting - 3/15/95
Minutes - Page 4 of 5
4111 they don't agree with how they're trying to achieve it. Staff assured everyone that
the Council wants the proposed ordinance to have a positive impact on downtown, not
a negative impact.
Bernie Hogan noted that sign regulations are more restrictive in the proposed
ordinance, and wanted to know why the sign ordinance is being duplicated in the
downtown design review district ordinance. Mr. Vogel stated that while signs are
mentioned in the proposed downtown design review ordinance, it only states the sign
regulations included in the downtown design review district are encouraged, not
required. The sign ordinance is still the official ordinance.
Mr. Vogel stated that in drafting the current ordinance proposal, staff tried to word
the ordinance so that if the person holding the Planning Director position changes,
the regulations are clearly stated and would continue be administered and enforced
in the same manner as before.
Tom Borchart, Mankato Citizens Telephone Company, stated that he likes the sign
portion in the draft because it would make the downtown area look nice.
Warren Smith, Survey Services, spoke in favor of the current draft ordinance. He
said he is pleased with the current draft. He was concerned about wording in the --
• first draft where a Certificate of Design Compliance would be required to simply
paint your building.
Charles "Gus" Johnson, said he was opposed to the ordinance in general because
of its excessive control. He felt that since the City owned the majority of the property
downtown, it is not necessary to adopt this ordinance for the few remaining
properties.
Clem Thompson, Happy Chef, was also generally opposed to the proposed
ordinance. Mr. Thompson also wanted to know what the City's interest would be in
downtown if City Hall and the Civic Center weren't there. He felt it is self - serving
for the City to concentrate on an area where the majority of the property is City -
owned.
Mr. Forsythe stated that the proposed ordinance would create some consistency in the
area, and that this type of ordinance has also been suggested for other areas of the
city, including the Lincoln Park Neighborhood, Old Town, and the industrial parks.
He noted that with current staffing levels, it would be administratively impossible
to impose design restrictions in the entire city.
Joe Hager asked if, under Subd. 4, Plan Review, the dollar value could be raised from
• $100,000 to $500,000 for items being forwarded to the Planning Commission level for
review. In its present state, the Planning Director would review activities with an
estimated cost under $100,000. Projects with valuations of $100,000- $499,999 would
•
t r
Downtown Design Review Meeting - 3/15/95
Minutes - Page 5 of 5
•
be reviewed by the Planning Commission, and projects with valuations $500,000 and
over would be reviewed by the Planning Commission with a recommendation
forwarded to the City Council for their approval.
Joe Leonard, Holiday Inn, inquired what would happen if a building was destroyed
by fire or natural disaster. Mr. Forsythe stated that the types of materials used to
construct a new building would be controlled by the design review criteria; however,
the City would take circumstances into consideration. Mr. Hogan stated that all
property owners could rely on would be what is written in black and white. Mr.
Forsythe then stated that language could be added to the ordinance pertaining
specifically to destroyed buildings.
•
Jeff Kagermaier, KSPA Architects, stated that he liked the design review district
ordinance and, in fact, liked the first draft (that was more restrictive) better.
Bernie Hogan requested that the downtown property owners be mailed a copy of the
final draft that will be considered by the Planning Commission at their April 26
meeting. Mr. Vogel stated that he would mail a copies of the proposed ordinance
along with the public hearing notices.
• The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
•
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