Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2021 05 20

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Rob Zuccaro From: Meredyth Muth on behalf of Open Records Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 10:04 AM To: Planning Subject: FW: Redtail Ridge Development From: justin solomon [mailto:solli90@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 10:00 AM To: Ashley Stolzmann <ashleys@louisvilleco.gov>; planningcommission@louisville.gov; City Council <Council@louisvilleco.gov> Cc: Susan Larson <susan.larson@gmail.com> Subject: Redtail Ridge Development Dear Louisville Planning Commission, City Council, and Mayor Stolzman, I am writing today to share my thoughts and concerns regarding the latest Redtail Ridge development proposal. I will try to be concise as I know there are many demands for your time. Let me first offer my sincere thanks for rejecting the initial submittal by the developer, Brue Baukol Capital Partners. As the City considers the merits of the current development proposal I would ask that Brue Baukol not be given undue credit for "compromising" down from what most in Louisville considered a gross non -starter. We will prefacer thoughts on the current development proposal by saying we fully recognize that the owner/developer is entitled to build on this land and while I might like to see it preserved as open space in its entirety that is currently not an option. We are not anti -development and we know a good portion of this parcel was previously developed. The following enumerated comments present our shared values, written into the City's governance, that we and many others in Louisville hope to see represented in the development plan. We would ask the City to do all in its considerable power and discretion to hold the developer and the general development plan to our shared values, as Brue Baukol seeks to play a significant role in shaping the future of our community with this development. We ask that the City: 1. Limit the physical footprint to the smallest extent possible and to areas previously developed by StorageTek, thus preserving as much of the parcel as possible as open space. This is critical to preserving a small-town character and preserving a buffer between Louisville and its neighbors at our southern gateway. 2. Limit the carbon footprint of the development. We are in a climate crisis as evidenced by last's summer's fire season that extended into the fall. The City should require LEED certification for all the larger buildings as well as all other reasonable requirements to limit greenhouse gas emissions. These need to be requirements placed upon the developer and not left as open-ended goals or aspirations that are non -binding or enforceable. 3. Protect biodiversity. The parcel is visited or home to several critical species such as prairie dogs, raptors, including Golden and Bald Eagles and Burrowing and Great Horned owls, migratory song birds, coyotes, reptiles, etc. All of these will be permanently displaced and lost to future city residents as sprawl encroaches from all sides. While considering the current proposal, I also ask that the City consider the following: 1. Within the City limits we have underutilized or yet undeveloped retail and commercial space in the CTC, along the Steele Ranch road frontage, the former Sam's Club and Kohls locations, and the DeLo strip mall, just to name a few. Across the highway from this parcel there is vacant retail space in the struggling 7