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Planned Unit Development. We have been talking about this for a long time and there are couple <br /> upcoming projects that have pushed this schedule a little faster. We are proposing the Area Plan <br /> Commission initiates a text amendment but we wanted to make sure we had Council support before we <br /> take that action. The text amendment would be to add a third use which is `many self-storage units with <br /> internal access.' It would maintain the outward appearance of the building. They come in through the <br /> main internal access and there would be a series of pods inside the building that all have their own doors <br /> and access points. The developers like this because they can utilize the existing HVAC systems in the <br /> building, the shell is set up, climate control is possible and it is a great re-use of these spaces when there <br /> isn't a retail space that can go in there. The old K-Mart on Western Avenue has been repurposed as a <br /> Planet Fitness and a Dollar Store, but there is still a large amount of space available within that building. <br /> That is a prime example. This has also come up with the old VA Clinic as well. They would like to do <br /> something to utilize these buildings with large ceilings and large loading docks. This is a proposal of <br /> how we would define that use. There are two (2)key components that are important to making the re- <br /> use of these buildings fit. The main point is there is no direct access to the outside or no appearance of <br /> direct access. We don't want developers to put a bunch of holes in the walls for the doors. It must <br /> remain looking like a retail store. The second point is that there would be no outdoor storage. These are <br /> both incorporated into the definition. We propose for these to be permitted in CB—Community <br /> Business, CBD—Central Business District, GB—General Business, LI—Light Industrial and GI— <br /> General Industrial zoning districts. There will be development standards applied as well so developers <br /> don't convert the building and make it look inappropriate for a retail setting. <br /> Committee Chair Davis asked, What is the process to get this officially approved? <br /> Ms. Smith replied, This would be a text amendment. If the Council didn't have any concerns or <br /> objections, we would do it at the Area Plan Commission. So at the next APC meeting, which is June <br /> 20th, there would be action to initiate it. It would then be in front of the commission in July and back to <br /> the Council immediately g followin that. It doesn't really matter if a Council member sponsors it, but we <br /> wanted to bring this forth to you before we began the process. <br /> Committee Chair Davis then opened the floor to questions from the Committee or the Council. <br /> Councilmember Tim Scott asked, Are you seeing this trend elsewhere? <br /> Ms. Smith replied, We are. In fact, when we started researching this there were many interesting things <br /> about this process. Everything from grocery stores to car dealerships were being converted. <br /> Councilmember Scott followed up, Is it getting a positive response and are the values around the <br /> properties getting affected? <br /> Ms. Smith answered, I'm not sure about the assessment values other than the fact these were vacant <br /> buildings that weren't generating much use anyway. The thought would be that as the market changed, <br /> they could be reconverted into a storage facility without a whole lot of deconstruction. <br /> Councilmember Scott asked, Is there anyone from DCI that would like to comment to this? <br /> 2 <br />