02-25-19 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING February 25, 2019 Mr. Connaughton replied, There is no parking up front. Is that your question? I'm sorry. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated, There is no handicap parking up front. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, Just for clarification, there is access to the retail area off of those handicap spots in the back. Correct? Mr. Connaughton confirmed, Yes. Councilmember Jo M. Broden followed up, Ok. Just speaking from the District, there is an entire length of Ironwood north that has been developed with parking from building to street and there are not even walkways the entire length of Ironwood on the east side. So, while we think moving a building, while it would be a burden on you the petitioner to have to seek a variance, I think it would also be a burden on the neighborhood to not allow a facility sidewalk access and walkability. Frankly, I think that is a huge issue from a development and vitality standpoint. So, I think the burden would be on you to change your petition and I just don't think it would meet good planning standards.And not just planning standards,but the test of the neighborhood where,again,you have parking from every one (1) of those other businesses. Up until a year ago, you couldn't walk on the thoroughfare safely. Thankfully, on the other side of the street, we've been able to construct a sidewalk. As the representative of the district, that was a priority that was indicated to me. Yeah, people would like to have sidewalks on both sides. I think it would be a great business decision, but we can't force that now. I'm just speaking from what I've heard, overall,the connection to the neighborhood and, frankly, what allows businesses to thrive over time. So, yeah. I'm not into moving buildings. Councilmember Oliver Davis interrupted, To add to that, Mr. McGann, you shared in our Area Plan meeting about during the holiday season. I'm over there a lot and it creates a mess. Councilmember Oliver Davis requested Mr. McGann to share what he shared at the Area Plan meeting. Mr. McGann stated, The Post Office a few years ago were considering a move to the old Target building out on Hickory Drive. That is what the local Post Master wanted to do but he got chopped down by the Regional Director or Washington D.C. or something because it wasn't in the middle of his postal zone. So, they know it's a problem, everyone in the neighborhood knows it's a problem and the late Ann Puzzello helped me many years in a row because the Post Office would park two (2) police cars out in front. They would take up a whole lane and there would only be one (1) lane coming west because they took it up. So, I got them to get rid of that and now they actually put those police cars on the sidewalk and parkway. Councilmember Oliver Davis interrupted, And the new development on Ironwood did not help address that? Mr. McGann replied, Oh no, they cut right through. Councilmember Oliver Davis reiterated, They cut right through. So that situation, that is the issue we are dealing with here. Mr. McGann then informally addressed the Council with a few more anecdotes regarding traffic relative to his nearby property. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated,Thank you,we're good. That's the reason, I mean, in light of what he's saying, I would like to make a recommendation that, and we just heard this petition at Area Plan last week. We have some time on this and they worked out some things earlier. I wish that we can come back to address some of the issues Councilmember Broden has said and work out some things over the next thirty (30) days and work back on things. I'm just hoping that we can because there are a lot of things there that I thought were good points raised by Mr. McGann. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, I didn't have any issues. Councilmember Jo M. Broden made a motion to send Bill No. 02-19 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes and one (1) nay(Councilmember Oliver Davis). 25