Minutes - Planning Commission - 08/25/2022

Home

Mr. Hockert replied that is their goal. He noted that they would plant trees along Armstrong and on the southern side as well. He stated that they could plant trees on the outside and inside of the fence to provide additional layers of screening. Commissioner Anderson referenced the retail use across the street and sports user in the back and understands the desire to shield this use as much as possible. Mr. Hockert confirmed that he would place landscaping along the southern side as well. He stated that he would love to work with Mr. Kuker in whatever way possible. He stated that while he would love to improve the building right now, they need to generate income in order to support those improvements. He asked for grace and the opportunity to move into the site and clean up the site. Mr. Kuker agreed that shielding helps but he would hate to see the whole area redeveloped with this person on a five-year plan investing in the site. He agreed that screening would help. He stated that as he bought his property, the property behind him was sold and the City has abated that site. He stated that the applicant seems like a nice guy, and he would hate to see him invest money that may be lost. He agreed that screening would help, and he could agree to it if the business is not an eyesore. Mr. Hockert stated that someone else also suggested placing fabric in the fence to shield but stated in his opinion that makes it look worse. He believed that the better path would be to shield with trees, placing a row of trees on both the inside and outside of the fence as fast as they can. He commented that he purchased the land with his money and owns it and if he wants to invest more money into the site, he should be able to do that in the effort of wanting to make things better. He recognized that his property will be ideal for redevelopment in the future, and he should be able to make a profit at that time. Commissioner VanScoy asked if someone were to offer to purchase the property in two to three years, would the applicant be amenable to that. Mr. Hockert confirmed that for the right price he would sell the property, but he also has to make sure it would be something that would be beneficial for everyone involved (himself, the City, the neighbors, etc.). Commissioner VanScoy commented that if the applicant does not do anything to the property, as it sits, it is an eyesore. He stated that having the applicant make some improvement to the site and use it in the interim would seem to be positive. He stated that the applicant will be investing money into an area that is marked for redevelopment and therefore he would not want the applicant is invest to the point where it would become a barrier to selling in the future. Mr. Hockert replied that his wife would also like him out of the site faster than five years. Commissioner Walker stated that he kind of had his mind made up on how he would vote on this case but wanted to make sure the applicant would be okay with knowing he could invest into this Planning Commission/ August 25, 2022 Page 11 of 27