07/06/2000 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr. Barker, with Simon Properties, Mr. Majewski, with Northstar Planning and NIr. Loesch, with Simon Property Group each of whom came forward to review the request. Mr. Conway questioned the Law Department regarding the ma11s high density of tra.ffic and the number of lots involved. He questioned if it had ever been determined whether the lot lines were actual lot lines or deeded lot lines, which would go right through the proposed addition. Mr. Rinker suggested that the lines were actual lot lines and what the mall does is swap land which is not uncommon for a mall this size. Mr. Conway questioned if Mr. Rinker controlled or maintained the lots in question. Mr. Rinker answered "yes". Mr. Conway indicated that there was a density issue of 25% lot coverage. The building department has viewed this as an entire development as it relates to density rather then addressing each individual lot. Mr. Gareau indicated that doing so would be consistent with a ruling he made to Mr. Rymarczyk two . weeks ago. It does not make sense to look at each lot separatety when it comes to the mall and dealing with density. Mr. Rinker indicted that the ratio for parking under the Cities code is calculated on gross square footage (1,000.), with a ratio of 6.5 cars to the gross square footage_ In the report that Northstar provided, it showed that malls of this size, like Richmond Heights, went through the same type of changes two years ago. Northstar was hired to do a study on parking/car ratio. Mr. Rinker reviewed the report with the board members (see.attached memorandum at back of minutes). The mall owners would like to look at using a parking ratio of 4.5 based on the gross Ieasable area. There is a mixture of uses, 90%-of the stores are retail, which does not generate a lot of traffic like restaurants and theaters. The basis of the report is 20 years of collecting infonnation from about 500 malls across the country. The report shows that using a 4.5 ratio for malls of this size, which are regional in nature and larger then 800,000.sq ft, which this mall exceeds. The 4.5 ratto is a national standard which, has been adopted because experience has shown it works. As a practicable standpoint there are times when the parking lot areas are in higher use. Such as Thanksgiving through Christmas, the parking Iot spaces are used more than any other time of the year. The owners of the mall believe their request is reasonable. Mr. Rinker reviewed that the new building would create 536 new jobs, an average salary of $14,700, with an addition to payroll taxes of $158,000. Annually and real-estate taxes of $515,000. Mr. Koberna questioned if the strip ma11 area was taken into consideration. Mr. Conway indicated that the strip mall was a separate entity. Mr. Maloney questioned if there would be sidewalks outside the buildings, for the. safety of the residents. Mr. Loesch indicated that there would be sidewalks and landscaping all the way around the building. Mr. Gareau questioned if there had ever been talk about a shuttle service used in the holiday months for the patrons to get back and forth from their car and the stores in the mall. Mr. Loesch suggested that there had been discussions on shuttles, but frankly, there are currently no specific plans. However, the owners would like to work with the City regarding the shuttle idea, if the City ever sees that as a need. Mr. Koberna questioned if the next building would be placed on the south side of the mall. Mr. Loesch answered "yes" and showed the board members on the site map where it would be located. Mr. Koberna questioned if the proposed land-banked parkina area was existing. Mr. Loesch answered "no" it is currently green space. Mr. Conway questioned if the 10