Planning Commission Minutes 2009 11 12

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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes NOVEMBER 12, 2009 Page 4 of 8 incentive for shared parking, the cost of a parking space should be studied with more detail as well as the timing of a fee change and a language clarification should be addressed for the new square footage vs. square footage addition to a building vs. building renovation. Michael Menaker, 1827 Chokecherry Dr., Louisville stated his support of the adoption of Resolution No. 11. He also stated a clarification of the 475,000 SF calculation as the result of using the available parking spaces to calculate the allowed square footage for downtown. He also discussed the Downtown Framework Plan, the Fee-in-Lieu, and a possible roundtable discussion held by the Planning Commission with the Revitalization Commission, Commission Questions: Lipton requested a discussion of the staff policy recommendation and to start with #1 regarding the increase in square foot cap from 354,000 to 475,000. Hartman asked why the cap was chosen in the first place and where would new development go. Wood stated the cap was put in place because of the traffic study and the level of service for downtown that came out of the study. McMillan stated new development could go up by combining lots for new development. Lipton asked if density, FAR and number of stories where a direct result of trying to achieve building character for downtown. Wood stated the 354,000 SF did not challenge the FAR and bulk/ massing of most developments in downtown. Sheets asked what is driving the increase in cap and if the city is close to exceeding the current cap. Star stated an owner would have an opportunity to build up at such time when needed. Pritchard and Loo stated they had no questions. Public Hearing Closed Lipton closed the public hearing and asked for Commission Comments. Commission Comments regarding the Policy Recommendation #1: Hartman stated she had not heard any compelling arguments to increase the square footage cap. Loo stated her support for the recommendation. Sheets asked how the city would establish a cap for the future when this increase would not be enough. Pritchard stated the increase cap to 475,000 SF does not impact any of the current parking. Sheets asked if parking is the only driving force behind the increase.