City Council Minutes 1999 04 06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Standards and Guidelines (CDDSG) were to apply, that could lead to a type of development that was inconsistent with the recommendations of the Framework Plan. They did not feel it would be an appropriate urban form for this important Gateway into both the City and the historic downtown. The Handbook would replace the CDDSG as the controlling design requirements for downtown commercially zoned properties. As with the CDDSG, the document would be applied through the City's mandatory PUD process. The document, in addition to its regulatory function is intended to be educational. In comparison to the CDDSG, the Handbook has fewer mandatory standards and more guidelines. The document is intended to be relatively flexible, recognizing that there is a good deal of variety in design character in the downtown district. The Handbook divides the downtown district into Core and Transition character areas. The Core areas are intended to have more of a typical downtown storefront look and feel, with buildings built up to the sidewalk with extensive window displays. In the Transition areas, more residential style and scale are encouraged, including increased building setbacks. In the Core and Transition areas, one and two-story structures are to be the predominant character to preserve the historic pedestrian scale. However, the Handbook does also include regulations for building a third story, in the event that would be considered by the City through the PUD process. Consideration of third stories would require that the City grant an exception to the 29-foot maximum height requirement, through the PUD review. Davidson asked Wood whether the Design Handbook specifies the number of required parking spaces per 1,000 sf. Wood replied, no. Davidson opened the public heating and called for anyone wishing to speak on Ordinance No. 1293, Series 1998. Erik Hartronft, 801 Main Street, Louisville, felt that the City is making a positive move by adopting the Design Handbook. He commended the Committee, Council, Planning Commission, and members of the community for the amount of time and work they contributed to the Design Handbook. He agreed with the Planning Commission recommendation regarding the east and west sides of the railroad tracks. Arlin Lehman, 908 Main Street, Louisville, agreed with Hartronft. He stated that having these guidelines in place would provide business and property owners with standards by which to develop their properties. He expressed strong support for adopting the Design Handbook. Cheri Ruskus, 801 Main Street, Louisville, agreed with Hartronft and Lehman. Davidson closed the public hearing and called for Council comments and questions. 18