#18 - Birth and Haven - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Planner/City Leaders, My letter is in response to the development at 5193 Keats Ave. N on the North side of Clear Lake, the proposed birthing center and transitional recovery center. (As a note: We did not get the notice and we live on the lake looking at the facility) I am against the transitional recovery center in this location and I think the zoning rules need to be addressed even if this facility goes forward. I am concerned about the zoning language proposed for the transitional recovery center. 1. The language for the transitional recovery center allows for 2 buildings to be constructed. This is on top of the birthing center. That could be 5 or more buildings on the current developed footprint next to the lake. The number of buildings on the footprint near the lake should be limited. I believe the current rules would allow for the construction of the birthing center, two buildings for the transitional recovery center and possibly 2 or more of the existing buildings. For example the barns kept for historical purposes or to keep the rural look. If the barns are kept, the shop/barn and a second barn could be used for an indoor parking garage. There should be rules related to parking garages for transitional care facilities. To us this will be a commercial complex suited for a different part of the city. Further there should be height restrictions for these buildings. Suppose the plan is to convert one barn. First story parking, second and third stories for recovery center and offices? Multi- story commercial facilities should not be allowed in a rural zone without the typical commercial infrastructure to support it. This should be addressed before we have a proposal. We are also worried that once we have this birthing center/medical facility/recovery center and an office building on the property, five/ten years from now, there will be a push to rezone the existing facilities for either expansion or repurposing. For example: The birthing center is not economical for whatever reason. What purpose could the birthing center/ transitional care facility be used for? A retirement Home? Not consistent with the current zoning A medical facility? Not consistent with the current zoning An office building? Not consistent with the current zoning. A drug transitional recovery center? The city will incur costs not envisioned today. To us the rules around the transitional recovery center for the birthing center are problematic for this location. Please look at the zoning rules for transitional care facilities located in a rural zone.