Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2018 03 08

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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 14 of 23 that the applicant has been attentive to the parking issue. She stated that this could be an opportunity to remember that public transportation, bicycling, and walking were options. The Dash served Main Street and connected Louisville to Lafayette and Boulder and there was also service to McCaslin for regional transportation. She stated that Boulder County offered an Ecopass program that reduced the cost of offering transportation to employees by 60%. Trent Davel 1020 Rex Street and owner of Pica's Taqueria at 901 Front Street. He supported the project as it frees up retail and restaurant opportunities, eliminates a dead space on the block, and creates more vibrancy downtown. The third floor allows for the first floor to be retail and while the building is big, the setback mitigates the size. He stated that restaurants rely on retail for lunch business and that keeping people Downtown offered patrons for city business owners. Cindy Bedell, 662 West Willow Street stated that she was not a Downtown business owner and she thought of the project as "Titanic on Main." It is not appropriate in mass or scale for the downtown area. She requested that it be downsized. Louisville is attractive because it is charming, but this building is not charming. She stated that the third -floor setback will contribute to the claustrophobic feel of the building. She asked the Commission to keep in mind that the balconies were not public space. She also directed the Commission to page 28 of the Louisville Design Handbook, which discussed glass. She stated that as Louisville lost its charm, there would be fewer people coming downtown and that we could be killing the golden goose. Patrick Walsh, 836 Main Street, owner of Bittersweet Cafe and Por Wine House, stated that he was a long-time restaurateur and was planning to open a Cuban restaurant in Louisville. He stated that the town can be slow and difficult to run a business in, but places like Boulder Creek Neighborhoods have a big impact that make it possible to run a business. Having people in Louisville is very, very important. He stated that a business owner willing to provide parking space was helpful to all business owners. He added that it is also important to address that what is there currently is not aesthetically pleasing and the proposed development is a beautiful structure. Looking at a picture did not give a good idea of what the building would look like and that the Commission should consider this limitation. Finally, he encouraged the City to spend its money to save other historic buildings, not buildings like this. Tracy Hobbes, resident at 2157 Wagon Way, owner of Eleanor and Hobbes at 901 Front Street, stated that she has a private parking structure for employees, who have parking stickers in their windows. The structure frees up parking spaces for customers on the street. The project provided vitality, traffic, and retail space. Currently, Downtown is slow. The project will bring a little life to Main Street. She added that she likes the architecture and felt it had been well thought-out. She stated that staff and the applicant have done an amazing job making a building that works and that losing Boulder Creek Neighborhoods employees would be a big loss to the city. Jenni Hlawatsch, owner of Singing Cook at 728 Main, stated that she was a property owner of a business next door. The presentation tonight eased some of her concerns and she appreciates the effort put into it. She encouraged Boulder Creek Neighborhoods to rent more to shopping than to restaurants. While Louisville has been maxed -out on restaurants, shopping retail would help her business. She was concerned about the construction process, as her business was her sole income. No matter how large or small, any construction project would affect businesses in the area. She asked that Boulder Creek Neighborhood consider compensation or some other help to ensure that she and the bookstore stay open. She stated that overall it was great for the future of Louisville, but that there was a danger that adjacent businesses would fail during the construction process.