Agenda - Planning Commission - 11/30/2023

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7. 1. Regular Planning Commission Meeting Date: 11/30/2023 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Promote economic growth and development. Information Title: Consider Site Plan and Minor Plat for Storyteller Cafe Located at 7790 Sunwood Drive NW (Project No. 23-118); Case of Stories Foundation Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to review a Site Plan and Minor Plat for a proposed mixed -use building to be located at the southeast comer of Sunwood Drive and Yolite Street (the "Subject Property"). Stories Foundation, the "Applicant", is seeking approval for a three (3) story building that will include restaurant and retail space on the ground floor, three (3) apartments and office space on the second floor, and rooftop patio space on the third floor. At least some of the Planning Commissioners may recall this project, as it went through the approvals process in 2021; however, those approvals have since expired. The Storyteller Cafe will serve breakfast and lunch. The building will provide office space for the nonprofit company, Stories Foundation, which will operate the cafe. The Applicant currently employs three (3) full-time staff and two contract employees. The Applicant would hire at least one more full-time manager and 2-3 part-time employees to run the cafe and retail spaces. The Applicant's goal is to begin using the space to offer job training in year two of operation. Job training would be provided in a variety of industries and for vulnerable people and those who have been exploited. Notification: While a Public Hearing is not required, Staff did send out a public notice to all property owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property to inform them of the applications and meeting. A "proposed development" sign was placed on the property. Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: General Project Summary The Applicant is proposing a three (3) story building, with a footprint totaling near 6,900 square feet. This would be a mixed -use building, including retail, restaurant, and office space, as well as three apartments. The Subject Property is approximately 0.52 acres in size and just slightly over eighty (80) feet in width. Zoning and Guidance The Subject Property is currently zoned COR, and is located in the COR-2 subdistrict. The Subject Property is guided as Mixed -Use in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which allows a density of anywhere between five (5) and seventy-five (75) units per acre. Retail, restaurant, and office uses are all permitted in the COR-2 subdistrict. Live -work units are a conditional use. There are two potential options to address the residential aspect of this project: (1) Process a Conditional Use Permit for the live -work units or rezone the Subject Property to COR-1, where live -work units are permitted. In an attempt to continue moving this project forward, the City Council can hold a Public Hearing to consider one of the aforementioned options, based on the Planning Commission's recommendation. Architecture Building elevations, along with a color rendering, have been submitted (and are attached to this case). The exterior finish of the building will consist of stucco, brick veneer, stone veneers, decorative smart panels, and