04-23-18 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING April 23, 2018 property and any modifications would have to go before the Area Plan Commission and the Council. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic closed the floor to questions and opened the floor to comments from Council Members. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic stated, I would like to remind the Council Members that we had extensive comment last meeting. I would ask Council Members keep their comments to new material for the purpose of this comment section. Councilmember Dr. David Varner stated, I offered to support it last time because I looked at it as a zoning issue and I remain with those thoughts and I will continue to support it this evening. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic stated, I do really appreciate both parties being willing to at least have a dialogue. I do think the written commitments represent a move in the right direction and alleviate my concerns as it relates to the five (5) criteria. I will be supporting, however, I would like to note that any of my Council Member colleagues that make a decision to not support the zoning request are certainly not making a decision to not support a certain organization within the community. There are certain reasons why Council Members interpret five (5) criteria different ways and I just want that to be clear to all people in the room today. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated, Thank you. The way I look at it is if the shoes were in the other hand and the Women's Care Center was already there and an abortion clinic wanted to move next door and they met the zoning requirements. The zoning requirements are what we have to consider. The zoning requirements are there no matter who that is. You have to have fairness in both issues in the way I look at it. The zoning requirements are the way we will move forward and therefore I will support. Councilmember John Voorde stated, I don't have much to say beyond what I said two (2) weeks ago. Only, I don't think I said much about appreciating all the work that everyone has done to state their positions and educate us. I think it is clear, if I didn't emphasize that enough last week, it is first and foremost a zoning issue and if it just looked at as that, I think we definitely ought to approve it. All the other issues and concerns that come in, I think, are important and can't be ignored. I think Women's Care Center is a vital service and to oppose this is a disservice to the people who may find themselves having to make that kind of decision. I might be a right-to-life Democrat,but I also respect the law and respect women's choice. If they choose to go one (1)way or another, that is their choice and that is the law and so be it. But, this is a zoning issue. I'm glad organizations like Women's Care can actually help. I will be supporting. Councilmember Karen White stated, I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you and all your efforts. If anyone were to say that zoning issues are easy, I would beg to differ. As we begin to look at the standards that have been set before us, they are not black and white. I believe it was important for Women's Care Center and Whole Women's Health to have the opportunity to come together and have a conversation to hopefully reach a level of consensus. I believe all worked in good faith. I am very pleased that a number of written commitments were agreed upon and would personally like to thank Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston and Councilmember Gavin Ferlic for the work you have done. You met with a number of individuals and came out with these written commitments we have. Please note a vote in favor or against should not be viewed as the support for one (1)particular effort or another. We are making a decision about the services of the population that is being served. It is a zoning issue. I begin to look at the representatives of these districts and their concerns and weigh all that out as well. All of the issues have been valid including the concerns about safety and the impact of the neighborhoods and their values. I do appreciate all their hard work and the efforts that were given to really address these concerns. Councilmember Karen White continued, Please note, in the end, based on the final vote, a vote in favor or against should not be viewed as support of an organization. I think it is very exciting and as you begin to look at the process, democracy, we have nine (9) Council Members. Whether the vote is five (5) — four (4), six (6) —three (3), or nine (9) — zero (0), what is important is that this Council has always come together and we have worked to ensure our commitment to work with developers, the helpers and the services are implemented with the resources we have. I think it is important to note that as we begin to take action on any initiative that we have operated at a level of respect. I think that is important. I respect each and every one of the Council Members. I respect 12