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MINUTES <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />SEPTEMBER 13, 2001 <br />Knudsen asked about the vision for the proposed retail piece along Rice <br />Street. <br />Montanari stated that he had no definite plans for the retail at this point. <br />His primary goal is the senior housing. If there was a problem with the <br />retail component, he was willing to make this space a park or open space. <br />Knudsen felt the entire development would be classier without the retail <br />component. <br />Roycraft asked Montanari his experience in developing senior housing. <br />Montanari replied that this would be his first project. <br />Wojcik noted that the Comp Plan indicates that senior housing is best <br />located near services. Wojcik asked why this particular location. <br />Montanari indicated that he is proposing this location because he owns the <br />property. <br />Roycraft suggested that Montanari pursue a senior housing development at <br />the corner of Rice Street and Little Canada Road. <br />Keis noted the City Planner's recommendation that this property would be <br />better developed as medium density housing, i.e. townhomes. He noted <br />the single - family development across the street and felt that the height of <br />townhomes would better fit in the area than the height of this proposed <br />building. <br />Montanari indicated that he has struggled with several different concepts, <br />and indicated that the property is difficult to work with because of its <br />configuration. Montanari indicated that there is a need for senior housing, <br />and felt that traffic would be less of an issue. He also indicated that it <br />would only be possible to get 8 to W townhome units on this site. <br />Montanari indicated that lower density housing would not be a very <br />lucrative project. <br />Knudsen asked about the view from Rice Street. Montanari indicated that <br />the back of the condominium building would be visible from Rice Street. <br />However, he noted that he intends to add a lot of screening to the site. The <br />back of the building would have steel or metal maintenance free siding. If <br />desirable, he could run half brick along the western exposure. <br />Keis asked the effect on the proposal if Lake Street is not vacated. <br />Montanari indicated that he would have about 1 acre less land to work <br />with. However, he felt that he would still be able to proceed with the <br />development even without the Lake Street property. <br />Page 26 <br />