2011.05.09 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Agenda Number 6 CITY OF HUGO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Memorandum TO: Hugo Economic Development Authority FROM: Rachel Simone, Planner SUBJECT: Commercial and Industrial Design Guidelines DATE: May 5, 2011, for the EDA Meeting of May 9, 2011 1. BACKGROUND: The comprehensive plan discourages "big box" commercial buildings. The implementation portion of the plan states that the City should adopt an ordinance to limit building size in order to be consistent with the comp plan. The ordinance review committee (ORC) thought that large commercial buildings may be alright as long as they're designed correctly and instead of having an ordinance to limit building size, the same intent can be achieved with design guidelines. The EDA agreed with the ORC and stated that they would like staff to start working on design guidelines for the EDA's review. At its July 12, 2010, meeting staff gave a presentation to the EDA on design guidelines and asked for feedback on the discussion topics. The EDA agreed that they would like to see 4-sided architecture, variation of materials, and architecture variations on long walls. The EDA also stated that they did not want to discourage businesses from coming to Hugo because of strict design guidelines and the costs that may be associated with them. They directed staff to have the same discussion with the Planning Commission and get their feedback. The EDA stated that they would like the Planning Commission to take charge of the design guidelines and bring back to the EDA for their review. Staff made a presentation on design guidelines to get input from the Planning Commission. At its August 12, 2010, meeting, staff presented information on design guidelines and the recommendation from the EDA and the ORC to the Planning Commission. At the meeting the staff provided examples of other cities design guidelines to the Planning Commission for its review. There is variation between each example on the strictness of the guidelines. The Planning Commission agreed with the EDA on the desire for quality architecture in Hugo and that there is a way to create design guidelines without discouraging businesses to locate in Hugo. The Planning Commission made a recommendation to the City Council to appoint a subcommittee of the Planning Commission to start working on design guidelines. The members from the Planning Commission are Bob Rosenquist, Rick Gwynn, and Bronwen Kleissler. The drafts will be brought back to the EDA and Planning Commission for their review and