Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2023 11 09

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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 14, 2023 Page 9 of 14 Choi acknowledged the burden the City would face accommodating additional residential development over additional commercial development, describing it as a `bitter pill'. He noted that the City had anticipated a grocery store being built on the site, until the Marshall Fire impacted market conditions such that the potential store abandoned their development. He said that it would be necessary for the City to establish additional residents before such commercial development could again become viable. He encouraged the developer to focus on affordability and sustainability, and to properly maintain the condition of any rental units on the site. He said he would support the rezoning. Krantz appreciated the applicant's intention to develop the two lots together. However, she was concerned that the rezoning did not meet the criteria as laid out in the LMC, as it discourages rezoning. She questioned whether the change in market conditions had been enough to allow for rezoning, whether the Commission should require a longer period of time before considering this, and whether it would be in the public interest. She felt that the staff presentation misconstrued the rezoning, as it was not truly an industrial zone, instead a commercial one. She was concerned that this rezoning may set a precedent, where other underperforming commercial areas could be rezoned. She appreciated the need for more housing, but was ultimately concerned that this rezoning would not be an effective way of achieving that goal. She was opposed to the rezoning. She encouraged the Planning Commission to defer approval of the rezoning until after the City's Comprehensive Plan and Housing Study were completed. Brauneis responded to Krantz's question about the changes in market conditions. He did not believe that waiting as long as 20 years would be necessary to judge this, and that market conditions had changed enough to warrant rezoning. He appreciated that the staff did not make the argument that the original zoning was a mistake. Moline appreciated Krantz's argument, but he believed that since housing is so constrained, it was important to consider this rezoning as an option. He noted that it was not possible for the City to expand into greenfield development, so rezoning was an important option for the City. Brauneis said that he was in favor, but he noted that the original DELO proposals had a greater mix of residential and commercial spaces. He felt it was unfortunate that the original plans for "live -work lofts" was not realized. He added that he hoped new residential development may help to accelerate the construction of the RTD Commuter Rail Line, as it has yet to start construction despite its original target of 2023. He noted that future discussions will help shape the look and feel of the development. He also said that retail is unlikely to become viable on the site, so rezoning is in the best interests of the City. He added that the Planning Commission never approved the current DELO Plaza strip mall, as that was not the intended use for the site. City of Louisville Community Development 749 Main Street Louisville CO 80027 303.335.4592 www.LouisvilleCO.gov