PL MINUTES 08211984 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-5- • 1 No one appeared to speak for or against .the proposal and the hearing was closed at 2 8:35 P.M. Commissioner Bjorklund indicated he perceived this to be a very pro: 3 gressive idea for improving .the appearance of the entry way to the City and a unique 4 use of property which was not being utilized. He approved of. not encouraging 5 access off Lowry and believed the project could be expected to increase the land 6 values and jobs for the area. The Commissioner also perceives the view from the 7 condominium housing could be much improved but wanted assurances built into the 8 recommendation of approval -that they would not be annoyed by the air condi-tioning. 9 10 Commissioner Hansen viewed the proposal -as a very positive addition to the City and 11 liked the addition of trees in the project. plans. He indicated he would have no 12 problem with the variances for parking but questioned the distances from the con- 13 dominium homes. Mr. Childs told him Arkell. has to provide screening and a buffer 14 between the Kenzie Terrace Redevelopment Project and its abutting neighbors. 15 16 Commissioner Wagner indicated he- was anxious to see the project go forward. 17 18 Commissioner Franzese liked the architectural treatment of an unattractive building 19 and agreed the- office condominiums would be a.welcome addition to that area. She 20 was happy with the proposed exterior treatment of the building and perceived safety 21 would be provided with the stair enclosures in the back. 22 23 The Chairman indicated. he was also pleased to see this improvement for that portion 24 of the City. 25 - 2 6 Motion by Commissioner Bowerman and seconded by Commissioner Bjorklund to recommend • 27 the Council grant Jerry Isaacs and Associates the necessary- parking and setback 28 variances to allow the conversion of the .Northgate Motel , 2526 Highway 88, into 29 approximately 19 units of office condominiums; specifically., eight .stall variance I 30 to the City Ordinance requirement for 74 parking spaces, with no more than 50% 31 of those, downgraded to 8! X 19 foot spaces to .accomodate compact cars; and the 32 variance necessary to allow the extension of the existing north line of the build- 33 ing to provide enclosed stairways and an arcade passthrough to the condominiums 34 on that side. 35 36 The Commission recommends granting these variances contingent upon the building 37 mechanics being enclosed to the extent they don 't increase the ambient sound units 38 and the landscaping is done according to the building footprint plan presented by 39 the architects. The Commission finds that: 40 41 1 . The removal. of the existing non-conforming free standing sign in front of the 42 building seems 'to be a good trade-off for granting the variances; _4.3- 4 4 2. The hardship would be to turn down a project which would- be such an asset to the 45 community when compared to the existing structure; 46 47 3. Granting these variances could not be expected to be detrimental to abutting 48 properties; and 49 50 4. The three conditions which require satisfaction_ appear to have been met with 51 the proposal. as presented. 1052 53 :'Motion carried unanimously. 54 55