12-19-01 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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M IN UTtiS CITY COUNCIL llGCLMf3GR 19, 2001 Montour indicated that while he did not support Grootwassink's concept, he did not support the one proposed by the City Planner either. Grootwassink pointed out that the Market Place Shopping Center has always struggled because of visibility issues along Rice Street. The Planner's proposal would worsen that condition, and he noted that he would not be able to rent the small retail storefronts in the location proposed by the City Planner. nnderson pointed out that the small storefonts as proposed by Grootwassink in his concept do not have good visibility to Rice Sweet. Grootwassink pointed out that the concept he is proposing puts the whole shopping center area into a "U" formation. 1-Ie also noted the potential for senior housing on the property behind the one being discussed this evening. Fahey noted the City's plans to develop senior housing in the Rice Street/Little Canada Road area and was not sure the market would support additional senior housing beyond that. Scalze noted that Grootwassink is proposing two small buildings just west of the shopping center that will block visibility. Grootwassink indicated that these two small buildings would be pushed further north so they would not block visibility. Johnson explained regional shopping center design concepts that take into account the big user and the small user. Fle pointed out that while there is traffic on Rice Street, Market Place Drive is virtually "dead" area given there will be very limited traffic on the street. Fahey expressed disappointment with the concept proposed by Grootwassink, noting the City's work over the past several years on the Redevelopment Guide. Fahey stated that he had a hard time accepting the tact that this property could not be developed in a manner that conforms to the Redevelopment Guide. LaValle asked if Grootwassink and his designers had the I'2edevelopment Guide. Johnson replied that they had the Guide. However, in designing the area, they had to have a critical mass of activity in the center to make it work. LaValle pointed out that the concept proposed does not meet the Redevelopment Guide and would change the whole theme of the area. LaValle stated that he would love to see Snyders move into a freestanding building on the DeLonais site, but he felt the Redevelopment Guide must be complied with. Grootwassink indicated that if they cannot market the site, it will sit vacant For a long time. He indicated that a project must make sense and pointed out that he is trying to utilize the land in a way that makes the Market Place Shopping