05/11/2011 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Wenger said the proj ect consist of rezoning approximately 2.2286 acres of property along Country Club Blvd from Single Residence B to Senior Residence for the purpose of building a senior residence facility. The applicant provided additional information since the last meeting which includes a conceptual layout and parking count which was discussed at the last meeting. The matter before the commission is rezoning not a development review. If the rezoning is approved the applicant will then officially submit a development plan for review. She noted that the conceptual plan had not been officially reviewed for zoning conformance and such a review would not take place until an official development plan was submitted. In reviewing the request for rezoning the commission should take into consideration whether or not rezoning would follow the city mater plan, conflict with the current land use pattern of the area, create an isolated or unrelated district or are there reasons why the land couldn't continue to be used as zoned. Mr. O'Malley said the commission is addressing zoning not development of the site and noted that the city was within its right to rezone a district without a proposed development plan. Mr. Berardi said at the prior meeting there was discussion pertaining to such a facility fitting the area and the number of parlcing spaces being removed. They modified the design and placement of the facility and provided information to address parking. Mr. Bohlmann felt that if additional properties to the south were purchased along Whitethorn the area could accommodate the rezoning and development without adversely affecting the church. He is concerned the church parlcing and school play area will be affected if more land is not acquired. Mr. Berardi said Catholic Charities develops excess property which the diocese owns and does not utilize. Mr. Rerko said parking was always an issue at the church and the parking report shows parking at neighboring sites to the west and east and asked if there were easements for the parlcing. Ms. Staab said the report showed that the back parking spaces were not utilized as most parishioners park closer to the church or the offsite locations to be nearer the entry. Mr. Berardi said parlcing spaces at the rear of the site is currently 268 and will be reduced to 220 once reconfigured. The new facility will have 36 parking spaces within its own parking lot for the residents. It was noted that there will be two egress points only along Country Club to accommodate both the church and new facility. A lengthy discussion ensued pertaining to parking. Mr. Parry felt that as the current zoning for the parcels is a mixture of residential and commercial being used as a parking lot, rezoning made sense. The land is not utilized as zoned it is a parking lot therefore the area should not be single family zoned. To rezone the parcels to senior residence district would be a good transition between commercial and residential use. However he is concerned that a section of the church parcel will remain single family residence. He would prefer only the area which is being developed senior living be rezoned senior residence the remaining small section of the church parcel should be rezoned general retail to match that of the church. Mr. Bohlmann asked if the city could require the church get an agreement for parking on neighbors lots and Mr. O'Malley said no. Ms. Meredith said the applicants feel this is a good location as it is close to shopping, dinning, public transportation and walkable. However she had concerns regarding the adequacy of sidewalks. Mr. Parry said perhaps the city could talk to the owners along Country Club to widen the sidewalks however the current owner should not be responsible for widening Country Club Blvd sidewalks. Pedestrian traffic will usually go to Lorain and walk along Lorain. Ms. Staab said the proposed housing requires seniors be 62 and over.