Minutes - Planning Commission - 08/04/2016

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Community Development Director Gladhill provided a more refined presentation highlighting key trends focusing on the following key trends to consider: 1. Good Planning for Pedestrian Facilities. There is strong consensus that the City continues to do well on planning for adequate pedestrian facilities. 2. Good Architectural Design. Focus on good architectural design appears to continue to be a key goal. 3. Maintain Vision Area Surrounding Rail Station, With Tweaks. Vision for the downtown/station area (quarter -mile around the Northstar Station) should largely stay the same in terms of design. However, the mix between residential and commercial should be re-evaluated. 4. Evaluate the Vision for the Retail District. Vision of the northwest retail area (Sunwood and Armstrong) should be re-evaluated. While there is not a full consensus on this policy direction, there are enough responses to warrant the discussion for future consideration. Responses were nearly 50/50 to change the vision for this area. Evaluating the vision does not necessarily mean a plan change will occur. 5. Maintain the Vision for the Office District. Vision for the south east office district should largely remain the same. 6. Maintain the Vision for the Community -Oriented User. The vision for a larger community -based user in The COR should be maintained. This could range from a community center to movie theater, etc. 7. Evaluate the Zeolite Retail Parcel. Disclaimer: this question was worded incorrectly. The intent of the question was to determine whether the City should consider a change from retail to residential based on actual developer interest and challenges as a retail pad side. This question will be reviewed, considered, and resolved throughout any potential amendment to the plan. However, as worded and based on a response, there appears to be a desire to retain the retail vision. Evaluation does not necessarily mean a plan change will occur. 8. Continue Discussion on Sign Regulations. There appears to be some hesitation in allowing 75-foot-tall advertising signs (result of the grade -separated interchange), while also a showing of those that desire to allow for them. 9. Generally Maintain the Vision for Shared Parking Strategies. A majority of respondents indicated that we should retain the vision to require shared, potentially structured parking in the downtown district and there is appetite to consider financial tools in order to facilitate this vision. The intent would be to reduce the amount of surface parking where warranted and underutilized. Planning Commission/August 4, 2016 Page 4 of 7