05-23-2007 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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18. A -1 Hydraulics- retail sales (across street) 19. Fra -Dor Recycle- retail sales 20. Ryan Industrial - Miesen Roof 21. Design Mirror & Glass- retail sates (across street) 22. Top Notch Sewer & Drain Cleaning (across street) 23. Old Levitz -EMPTY 24. Rose Galleries- retail space 25. Union Building 26. Old Knox -EMPTY 27. Maaco Auto Body - dumpster in front - retail sales 28. Billboard While Country Drive is probably the second busiest commercial street in Little Canada next to Rice Street, I believe our property, our business and our proposed improvements are a significant aesthetic addition to this commercial area. I would also like to address the five reasons planning staff gives for recommending denial of our request. 1. Staff says residential garages are not consistent with the style of construction or architecture of the district. Yet both of the buildings that were built immediately north of mine and far more recently then mine, have garages, with one building having two garages. 2. Staff says a second residential garage would contribute to a concern over a clutter of small accessory buildings on the property. I again reiterate the building next to me that has two garages and, both of my accessory buildings will be mostly out of sight, unlike the garages of the two buildings to my north side. 3. Staff says the storage space would occupy parking spaces that were programmed to serve potential office occupancy in the future. I own this building and have invested significant monies designing this building for our specific use. My property taxes have already been increased over 30% since I bought the building less then a year ago, in part because of the significant improvements I have made. I'll be here a long time. I would think planning staff would want to be more concerned with planning for the future success of businesses then their demise. 4. Staff says the outdoor display of retail goods is not consistent with the purpose of the district. This gazebo is a very attractive building that will be seen by potential customers as such. The outdoor displays further down Country Drive are not near as esthetically pleasing. It will not have any signage and will also be used by employees for lunch and breaks as a nice outdoor building. As I stated earlier, it will be a compliment to the appearance of Country Drive. 5. Staff is again concerned with the loss of assigned parking spaces for some future business. I stated previously that if I sold the building someday, I would dismantle the gazebo (for resale of personal use) and free up four of the parking spaces lost. Over half of the building is warehouse and display space. Our parking needs are far more then adequate.