04/07/2005 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioners together went through the book picking out things which would be done to make the lifestyle center happen. Now the City is asking the developer how they intend to incorporate some of those items found in the book back into the plan. Those items depicted in the book ensured a better and more effective development for the site. He asked the developer to show the Commission how they would bring those types of items (i.e. pathways, park benches, fountains, and green space) back into tlie development. Mrs. Hoff Smith reminded the applicants that the reason the use ratio variance was granted was due to the items Mr. Yager mentioned which have now been eliminated. Mr. Khouri stated that the design of the site had not changed as the materials and architectural design of the buildings were the same. Only the front areas to the offices would change. The site must be conducive to the general businesses to attract tenants. He wants to put in benches and seating areas but he needs the City to be flexible enough to allow continued adjustments to accommodated tenants needs. Competuig with the mall already cost them 2 big office tenants, due to the configuration of the site. They are trying to get the offices back and aze even willing to make the buildings office use only. He suggested that the west side anchor was critical to the development succeeding. What was approved does not work and he wants to work with the city to figure out what would bring tlie right tena.nts back. Mrs. Hoff-Smith suggested developing fake facades along tlie front and developing rear entrances. Ms. Herman, with Kelly-Visconsi and Associates indicated that the conventional retailer operates based on the demands of their consumers. Climate dictates how far custorners are willing to walk and if this was a warmer climate the rear parking would work however, that is not the case. There are also issines regarding front deliveries, no retailer wants deliveries coming in the front door with their customers. Fake front facades along Brookpark Road would not accommodate loading docks. The fact that there is only one true entrance to the site has hindered the development as well. Mr. Crook suggested that the city understood that they were not going to get what they want and for the developers were all about numbers and they need to understand that they won't get what they want either. Both sides need to compromise to come up with something that is going to work for everyone. The buildings need to be reworked, the green spaces and pedestrian areas/plazas need to be seen, and parking need not be seen. Mr. Koeth asked the applicant to mirror building B for building C and create a plaza for building C. Building D should have a plaza at both ends of the building and all buildings do not have to sit at the same setbacks, they can be varied. Mr. Skoulis voiced that the buildings should not be moved and the developer just needed to be more creative. Mr. Zergott indicated that the applicant is building a beautiful building and then being asked to hide it behind a mou.nd, which is not the answer. He believes that the landscaping could be beautiful by contouring the land and the placement of trees and planting beds. The applicants need to use more of a mixture of plants to have blooms all year round. The laaidscapuag can be used more creatively to help the appearance of the site. He requested denser plantings along the 1Vlitchell Road area. The applicant requested the boards allow him to place building pads on the site prior to final approval at his own cost and risk. Mr. Durbin stated that he required new development plans, site utility plans, water retention plans and construction plans. Mr. O'Ma11ey advised that neither board had authority to grant the applicant his request. Mrs. Hoff-Smith questioned if the community room was still in the plans. Mr. Schiely said that it was their intent to place the community room on the second floor of building D. However, they are still not sure if the City wants tlie space. Mr. O'Ma11ey advised that issues regarding a community room would be addressed through the Law Department. 5