City Council Agenda and Packet 2019 02 05

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City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2019 Page 5 of 16 not a sustainable or progressive strategy and does not encourage sustainability. It does not feel like this is the right strategy. Speaking for her husband she stated he does not support it as proposed and not in line with downtown character. People come downtown for the way it feels, not the parking. Need better selection of downtown businesses for a dynamic and interesting assortment. He urged don't lose the charm of downtown and utilize the existing parking. John Leary, 1116 LaFarge Avenue, stated downtown is not blighted and this does not need to be addressed in downtown. During the past 10 years downtown has performed well economically. He felt Council should reevaluate the blight determination of 2006. Rick Kron, president of the Downtown Business Association (DBA), said the Association Board has discussed these concepts and feel there is an emerging parking problem. As a result the DBA supports further research development and potential implementation of parking solutions that may include a parking garage in the future. The DBA feels it is premature to take any option off the table. Blair McBride, 940 Elm Street, felt this will take away from the charm of downtown. He sees open parking spots on a regular basis. Only on special event nights are the extra spaces needed. He felt there are plenty of parking spaces in DELO and just off of Main Street. Conor Seyle, 397 County Road, stated he opposes all the designs and does not see the need for more parking as there is much underutilized parking. If this is for future growth this is a bet and if it doesn't bring more development it will be a large empty building. He felt long-term trends will show this is not needed. If it goes forward he urged Council to go back to the drawing board and address new trends for conversion. Brian Topping, 1550 White Violet Way, stated there are ways to combine density and charm that would make the area a destination point. These concepts are under inspired, they should have green space on top and they could be a way to bring people downtown. He suggested finding a way to add to the culture and be forward looking. Sherry Sommer, 910 S. Palisade Ct., stated this plan is not consistent with the Hwy 42 Urban Renewal Plan and Market Feasibility Study. She noted the goals to use most efficient use of resources, consistent with the goals and policies of the City and enhance quality of life. She felt these goals are not met with the parking garage. She expressed the need to put people first in urban planning Karen Tucker, 601 1/2 Main, asked Council to think differently, it will be about alternative transportation in the future; need to look at alternatives. Make it special, make it a retail destination. This plan is going backwards; think forward. Jean Morgan, 1131 Spruce Street, stated she wonders if Louisville is trying to compete with Lafayette. We need to look at alternatives, underground parking, utilizing the sports