02-25-2004 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COiMAIISSION JANUARY 8, 2004 pedestrian traffic area, but rather would be accessed via motor vehicle. Mathern indicated that drivers want to be able to easily see parking locations. Pushing the buildings out toward the street would interfere with that. Mathern again noted that these units will be attractive to small to medium businesses. These size businesses need one entry area that is visible from the both the street and the parking area. Mathern indicated that these same businesses will not be able to afford two separate reception areas which would be necessary if the buildings were moved to the street and there were separate entrances on the street side and the parking lot side. Mathern noted that the parking layout proposed separates the visitor parking and the employee parking. She also noted that they tried to place the buildings to take advantage of the attractive ponding area adjacent to the property. Duray pointed out that the City has this same discussion about building placement in considering the Tacheny Professional Buildings. Those buildings were placed near the street and the result is a very attractive project. The City Planner suggested that the building abutting the south property line could be moved parallel with Middle Street. This would provide for a central parking lot between the two buildings. Weihe asked if Middle Street would be the more important street versus fronting the building along Market Place Drive. The City Planner pointed out that most of the redevelopment in the area is occurring to the west; therefore, the primary view of this development will come from the west. Weihe indicated that she observed the activity in this area and was surprised by the numbers of people walking through the area. She felt this development provided a good opportunity for an attractive development. Mathern stated that they understand the concerns about creating a street presence. She felt, however, that the structures as they have proposed will not be unattractive. Mathern felt that placing the parking behind the buildings will be confusing. She also indicated that the layout proposed by the City Planner was not attractive to them and would place one building in a position where it obscures the other building. Mathern pointed out that people coming to the site will generally come from Rice Street or Little Canada Road. Their feeling is that the L- shaped layout is best, and are agreeable to laying out the site so as not to impact the transit - 6 -