Laserfiche WebLink
The Former Sam's_Club Site <br />As this property enters its eighth year of vacancy, it's apparent we must <br />begin to explore options for a"Plan B". It is obvious that the current owner <br />is highly reluctant to bear the financial risk of litigation over the issues of <br />condemning the covenants. And, the City is not willing to bear the costs of <br />litigation either. <br />It's time to face reality and begin discussions of what to do next. The <br />property is vacant, unproductive and a blight in the heart of what should be <br />a vibrant part of the City. There will be no easy solutions, but we need to <br />explore additional options. Now. <br />The Conoco -Phillips Site <br />Nothing will happen here unless the City takes steps to remove obstacles <br />to its sale and redevelopment. 1 do not favor creating a residential <br />neighborhood on the property. 1 do believe the City needs to develop a plan <br />to bring infrastructure and utilities to the site; rezone to allow five -story <br />buildings on the site; and do these proactively in order to create a <br />marketable property. <br />We should consider how to create an expedited review process for any <br />new deveropment. Whether it is form -based zoning for this site, or some <br />other concept, the time it currently takes to proceed through our <br />development review is an obstacle to redevelopment. We need to decide <br />what we want here and create zoningg and processes to achieve it. <br />Historic Downtown <br />Contrary to the popular rnythos, Downtown continues to struggle. One <br />major obstacle is the lack of easily available parking. The new BRaD, in <br />conjunction with the 'SRC and City Council, should work to develop a <br />structured parking plan that encourages continued investment and <br />redevelopment Downtown. One goal should be to increase the daytime <br />population downtown bycreating more office space...and therefore <br />daytime workers. <br />11 <br />