[1. CALL TO ORDER.]
[00:00:03]
>> SPEAKER: WE WILL CALL TO ORDER TONIGHT'S AUBURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MAY 18, 2021.
ROLL CALL, LINDSAY? (ROLL CALL)
>> SPEAKER: WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE FOR THE RECITING OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PLEASE REMAINING STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE. (RECITAL OF PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE) >> SPEAKER: PLEASE BE SEATED.
[4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS. ]
THE MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT DURING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT SETTING ASIDE TIME AT THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON JUNE THS COX ROAD AND THE STRIPING OF COX ROAD THAT COUNCILMAN DAWSON BROUGHT FORWARD.WILL BRING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT LATER.
UNDER MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT, I JUST WANTED -- I HAVE A FEW THINGS I WANTED TO GO THROUGH.
THERE IS GOING TO BE A HOSPITALITY JOB FAIR WILL BE HELD ON MAY THE 25TH AT THE MAGNOLIA ROOM AT SOUTHERN UNION STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE. THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT TIMESLOTS FROM 8:30 TO 1030 -- WITH A NUMBER OF OUR INDUSTRIES AND SECTORS REALLY NATIONWIDE AND I WAS AT A MEETING OF THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES LAST WEEK IN HUNTSVILLE WITH A LOT OF OTHER MAYORS. THIS IS A TRYING TIME FOR A LOT OF BUSINESS OWNERS AS THEY TRY TO FIND PEOPLE TO COME AND WORK.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY TO SHOW THEIR WARES AND DO THEIR OWN RECRUITING IN A SET ASIDE TIME.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DOING THAT WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO ATTEND.
SPEAKING OF TOURISM, WE DID HAVE A TOURISM BOARD MEETING JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THEY REPORTED THAT THINGS ARE LOOKING UP.
THIS HAS BEEN MADE TO THE AREA THAT HAS BEEN HIT THE HARDEST THROUGH COVID AND HAS COME BACK THE SLOWEST.
THINGS HAVE BEEN PROMISING IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.
THE REPORT WAS FOR MAY DAY IN AUBURN GRADUATION WERE VERY HEALTHY WEEKENDS IN THE AREA. WE HAD GREAT BEAUTIFUL WEATHER AS WELL AND SO THAT'S POSITIVE NEWS REGARDING THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. I ALSO HAD AN AIRPORT MEETING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND THERE IS A LOT GOING ON AT THE AUBURN UNIVERSITY AIRPORT. THEY ARE LOOKING AT MORE HANGAR SPACE AND POTENTIALLY AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER, A NEW AND OUT THERE. THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE EVALUATION OF THE SAFETY ZONE AND THE STUDENT PROGRAM THAT IS FACILITATED AT THE AIRPORT IS REALLY GROWING.
THEY ARE EXPECTING OVER 100 MORE STUDENTS THIS COMING YEAR.
SO THINGS ARE REALLY GOING WELL OUT THERE AT THE AIRPORT.
GRADUATION IS THIS THURSDAY NIGHT FOR BOTH AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL AND LEE SCOTT ACADEMY AND WE CONGRATULATE ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR MAKING IT THROUGH A DIFFICULT YEAR AND GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO GRADUATE ON THURSDAY NIGHT AND WE ARE CERTAINLY PROUD OF ALL OF THEM.
WE CERTAINLY HOPE AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL WHICH WAY SHE IS PARTLY A CELEBRATION TOO IS A BASEBALL TEAM IS PLAYING FOR THE STATE CHAMPION SHIP AGAIN. THEY PLAY A SINGLE GAME TOMORROW AT 4 O'CLOCK AND THEN MAYBE A DOUBLEHEADER ON THURSDAY MORNING IN MONTGOMERY. CONGRATULATIONS TO COACH'S E-MAIL AND ALL THE PLAYERS FOR HAVING ANOTHER OUTSTANDING YEAR.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THIS AREA WAS HIT HARD BY A NUMBER OF STORMS. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR CITY STAFF, PUBLIC WORKS, PUBLIC SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT OF SERVICES IN PARTICULAR. MAKE AND IF THERE ARE SOME OTHERS THAT NEED TO BE MENTIONED LET ME KNOW.
CERTAINLY OUR FRIENDS AT ALABAMA POWER WHO HAD TO WORK LONG HOURS INTO THE NIGHT, INTO THE NEXT DAY TO TRY TO GET EVERYBODY'S POWER ON TO MAKE ALL OF OUR ROADS SAFE.
WE EVEN HAD A FIRE STATION THERE WAS HIT HARD BY THIS THAT WE HAVE AN ACTION ITEM ON TONIGHT. IT WAS A TOUGH STORM.
WE HAD A LOT OF HAIL AND A LOT OF WIND.
I APPRECIATE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO DID ALL THAT THEY COULD TO GET AUBURN BACK RUNNING AGAIN THE NEXT DAY.
THANK YOU ALL THE PARENTS FOR THEIR PATIENTS.
WE HAD A SCHOOL THAT DIDN'T HAVE POWER FOR MOST OF THE DAY.
WE APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER TO GET AUBURN BACK RUNNING. AUBURN 2040, WE HAVE A KICKOFF DATE WHICH WILL BE JULY THE 15TH.
THAT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER.
WE WILL KICK OFF ON A THURSDAY EVENING AT 5:30.
THAT WILL BE HELD AT AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL'S AUDITORIUM.
THE PORTAL TO RE-SIGN UP FOR YOUR TEAM WILL BE OPEN THIS MONDAY, SO GO TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE.
REMIND YOU AGAIN THAT IF YOU SIGN THAT THE LAST TIME, THAT DOESN'T WORK NOW. YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE PROCESS AND SIGN UP AGAIN. SO PLEASE GO BACK THROUGH IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN AUBURN 2040 AND SIGNED BACK UP BEGINNING ON MONDAY.
THAT PORTER WILL BE OPEN FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.
OUR MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT THAT IT HAS BEEN TRADITIONALLY IN AUBURN THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD A WONDERFUL BREAKFAST WHERE WE HAVE RECOGNIZED OUTSTANDING VETERANS WHO HAVE SERVED US FOR MANY YEARS AND THAT ARE
[00:05:03]
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AUBURN COMMUNITY.WE WILL HAVE AN ABBREVIATED CEREMONY AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL ON MEMORIAL DAY AT 9 O'CLOCK AND IT IS CERTAINLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND WE INVITE ANY OF YOU TO COME.
YOU WILL ALSO BE STREAMED LIVE AS WELL.
THAT IS ALL THE ANNOUNCEMENTS I HAVE FOR TONIGHT.
ANY OTHER COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES THAT HAVE AN
ANNOUNCEMENT? >> SPEAKER: MAYOR, I HAVE AN
ANNOUNCEMENT. >> SPEAKER: GO AHEAD
MR. PARSONS. >> SPEAKER: TOMORROW HERE IN THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING IN THE COURTROOM THE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT WILL BE HOLDING A CEREMONY HONORING THE FALLEN HEROES OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PLEASE FORCE.
THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THERE WILL BE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE OPELIKA'S POLICE FORCE AS WELL AS A FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE TOMORROW.
>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU MR. PARSONS.
ANYONE ELSE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THEY WOULD LIKE
TO MAKE? >> SPEAKER: I HAVE A REMINDER ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE UNSUNG HERO DATE MARTIN LUTHER KING PARK. THIS SATURDAY, MAY THE 22ND.
IT'S GOING TO START AT 10 O'CLOCK AM.
WE WILL BE HAVING A CEREMONY TO CELEBRATE THE UNSUNG HEROES AND THAT CEREMONY WILL START AT 12 NOON AND IT SHOULD GO ABOUT AN HOUR. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED SO I ASK EVERYBODY WANTS TO COME TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THAT DAY.
THAT AWESOME DAY OF FUN, FAMILY. WILL BE PLAYING GAMES AND DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES. IT'S A REMINDER OF ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME TO EXPECT THANK YOU, CONNIE.
ANYONE ELSE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT? OKAY WE WILL CLOSE DOWN THIS POINT OF OUR AGENDA AND MOVE
[5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS. ]
INTO AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME AGAIN.
SOME THINGS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING ON CAMPUS LATELY.
AT SOME REMOTE SO MOST STUDENTS ARE GONE BUT SUMMER CLASSES HAVE STARTED. THEY ARE STARTING TOMORROW.
SOME PEOPLE ARE MOVING BACK INTO CAMPUS TODAY FOR THAT.
THE COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES JUST MARKED A HUGE CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE ON THE CULINARY SCIENCE CENTER WHICH IS ON SOUTH COLLEGE ST. GOV. KAY IVEY ACTUALLY ATTENDED THIS EVENT AND NOTED THAT IS GOING TO BE A HUGE CENTER FOR TOURISM WHEN IT'S COMPLETED BECAUSE IT'S A WORLD-CLASS FACILITY. WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THAT ON OUR CAMPUS. AUBURN'S HAS ATTENDED THE THIRD PHASE OF ITS COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PLANS SO NOW IT HAS WIDENED TO PEOPLE 12 YEARS AND OVER IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO 12 YEARS AND OLDER CAN GET VACCINATED THROUGH AUBURN UNIVERSITY. NEXT, THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS WILL HAVE A CELEBRATION ON THURSDAY MAY 20 AT NOON.
A SEND OFF FOR THE TRAVELING EXHIBITION THAT THEY ARE HAVING RIGHT NOW WHICH IS BRINGING IN THE -- IS GOING TO BE A FUN DAY OF FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS, FUN AND GAMES.
HOPEFULLY THE WEATHER WILL BE GOOD FOR THAT.
NEXT, FRESHMAN ORIENTATION STARTS NEXT MONDAY MAY 24.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD ALL SEMESTER BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING TO CAMPUS SO WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT WE DO IT WITHIN COVID GUIDELINES AND THERE'S ALSO A VIRTUAL OPTION FOR PEOPLE TO CHOOSE. WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING THE CLASS OF 2025. LASTLY, STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES INCLUDING MYSELF ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO CITY BREAKFAST WITH YOU, MAYOR ANDERS, ON FRIDAY AND WE ARE EXCITED TO CONTINUE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE UNIVERSITY. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> SPEAKER: LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SATURDAY MORNING.
WE WILL MOVE INTO CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. REMEMBER, THIS IS JUST ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA. DO HAVE A NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT DO HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS ATTACHED TO THOSE. IF, IN FACT, THAT IS THE ITEM YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ON, I WOULD ASK THAT YOU PLEASE WAIT FOR THAT PUBLIC HEARING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK. SEEING NO ONE WE WILL MOVE AHEAD. CITY MANAGER'S COMMUNICATIONS.
>> SPEAKER: MAYOR, I HAVE NO ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATIONS.
[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA. ]
ARE YOU READY FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA?>> SPEAKER: WE ARE. >> SPEAKER: FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS IS THE CONSENT AGENDA ITSELF BECAUSE ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WISH TO REMOVE AN ITEM FROM THAT CONSENT AGENDA EMPTY
WITHOUT ITEM INDIVIDUALLY? >> SPEAKER: YES, PLEASE.
I WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE ITEM EIGHT DELTA THREE.
EIGHT D3. >> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE ON THE COUNCIL? WE WILL START WITH 8D3.
>> SPEAKER: ITEM 8D3 A MAN'S A COMMERCIAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT WITH TWISTER 5062 LLC TO WAVE -- REMAINING CAPITOL TO AND DEVELOPMENT PARCEL AND REMOVE ANY FURTHER DEADLINES FOR
REMOVING SUCH IMPROVEMENTS. >> SPEAKER: MOTION?
>> SPEAKER: SO MOVED. >> SPEAKER: MOVED TO APPROVE.
>> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS WE WILL
START WITH YOU MR. GRISWOLD. >> SPEAKER: AS I UNDERSTAND IT THIS FIRM THIS WILL BE THE SECOND REQUEST FOR WAIVER FOR
[00:10:02]
THIS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. SEEING AS HOW WE NORMALLY DON'T ALLOW MORE THAN ONE SHOT WHEN WE ARE DOING A TAX RELATED ITEM FOR A PENALTY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, I'M A LITTLE UNCLEAR AS TO WHY WE ARE REACHING OUT AND GOING TO ONCE AGAIN EXTEND THIS AND KEEP THEM FROM ENTERING DEFAULT ON THE AGREEMENT.>> SPEAKER: MR. CROSS, YOU HAVE A RESPONSE?
>> SPEAKER: THERE IS A MEMO IN YOUR PACKET FROM THIS FIRM THEY SENT WON TWO WEEKS EARLIER AS WELL.
THEY ARE REQUESTING THEY HAD A PROJECT READY TO GO AND THIS IS FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE UNAWARE, THIS IS INVOLVES A WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET OPELIKA ROAD.
YEARS AGO WHEN THIS DEVELOPMENT WAS APPROVED THERE WAS A FORMER KMART THAT WAS SITTING VACANT ON THE SITE AND THE CITY HAD JUST FINISHED UP THE RENEWAL OPELIKA ROAD AND WE WERE LOSING TENANTS AT THE MALL HAVE A LOT GOING ON. THERE IS SOME INTEREST IN THIS BUILDING BUT ONLY AN INTEREST FROM IT BEING A STORAGE FACILITY AND BEING A FITNESS CENTER AND NOT REDEVELOPED.
THE BUILDING WAS IN PRETTY DIRE STRAITS SO THE CITY GOT VERY PROACTIVE AND THE DEVELOPMENT FIRM BECAME VERY INTERESTED IN NOT PLACING JUST ONE BUT TWO WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD IN AUBURN.
ONE WOULD GO AT OPELIKA RD. IN EACH UNIVERSITY DRIVE AND THE OTHER ONE WOULD GO AT NORTH DONOHUE AND SHUG JORDAN PKWY.
THE GOAL WAS THE CITY DID NOT WANT TO INCENTIVIZE A FREESTANDING GROCERY STORE AT NORTH JORDAN -- WE FELT NORTHWEST AUBURN WAS NOT WELL SERVED IN THE GROCERY REALM SO PART OF THIS DEAL WAS IF THE COMPANY WOULD TAKE DOWN THE PROPERTY, PUT A WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET WITHIN ENHANCED -- ENHANCED ARCHITECTURE AND MATCH THAT IDENTICAL PROJECT AT NORTH DONOHUE AND IS NOT WRITTEN IN THE AGREEMENT, BUT THIS IS PART OF WHAT WAS DISCUSSED.
NORTH DONOHUE AND SUGAR, THE CITY WOULD GO WITH A $1.5 MILLION INCENTIVE OVER TEN YEARS, $150,000 A YEAR MAXIMA REBATES. BUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND WHAT COUNCILPERSON GRISWOLD IS REFERRING TO HAS BEEN EXTENDED TWICE. THIS WOULD BE THE THIRD TIME.
THE FIRST TIME WAS A SIX-MONTH EXTENSION AND THEY CAME BACK TO US AND SAID WE ARE STILL WORKING THIS OUT.
PARTIAL IS BETWEEN THE THRIFT STORE IN THE EXISTING WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET AND NOT HIGHLY VISIBLE FROM THE ROAD.
THEY WERE WORKING SOME PROJECTS AND THEY DIDN'T HAPPEN.
THEY ASKED FOR A SECOND EXTENSION OF 18 MONTHS.
THE SECOND EXTENSION OF 18 MONTHS COVID HAPPENED.
THEY WERE ACTIVELY WORKING AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO DEVOTE A CONTAINER PARK. IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A CONTAINER PARK PROJECT IS, IT'S A MULTIPLE SHIPPING CONTAINERS AND THEY HAD TO MEET SPECIFIC CITY REQUIREMENTS BECAUSE WE DON'T ALLOW METAL TO BE EXPOSED AND SOME OTHER THINGS.
WORKING FAST AND FURIOUS NINE PRIOR TO THE COVID SHUT DOWN TO BRING THIS PROJECT TO FRUITION. THAT CANNOT HAPPEN.
IT'S LIKE PULLING THE PLUG OUT OF THE BATHTUB OR SOMETHING.
EVERYTHING KIND OF DRAINED OUT WITH COVID AND FINANCIAL MARKETS GOT A LITTLE TIGHT. SO THEY DID NOT PROCEED.
WHAT THEY ARE REQUESTING IS THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN WILLING TO HAVE ANOTHER TIME FRAME ON THIS BUT STAFF FELT VERY STRONGLY THAT THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED FOR SOME TIME TO DEVELOP THIS.
THEY DELIVERED WHAT THEY SAID THEY WOULD DELIVER, NOT JUST ONE BUT TWO WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKETS AND THAT'S WHAT WE WERE WILLING TO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA AND RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONSIDER WAIVING THIS DEFAULT LATELY AND ULTIMATELY REMOVING THAT REQUIREMENT THAT THE EVER HAVE TO DEVELOP THAT OUT PARCEL.
IF THEY DON'T DEVELOP THEY DON'T GET ANY TAX REBATE FROM IT ANYWAY. THE WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET HAS BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL AND WE ARE FIVE YEARS INTO THAT OF A LIMIT AGREEMENT. THEY HAVE BEEN RECEIVING TAX SHARING REVENUES FOR FIVE YEARS NOW.
>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: THE TAX SHEDDING REVENUE THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED, THE INCENTIVE TO DATE, THEY DON'T LOSE ANYTHING OF THAT RIGHT?
>> SPEAKER: THAT'S CORRECT. ONCE THAT IS GIVEN TO THEM THE WAY THE AGREEMENT AS WRITTEN SHOULD YOU DEFAULT, THEY DON'T HAVE TO REFUND. WHEN YOU DEFAULT AND ULTIMATELY AN EVENT IN DEFAULT IF NOT WAIVED BY THE COUNCIL, CITY COUNCIL WOULD DE FACTO ELIMINATE OR CANCEL THE AGREEMENT COMPLETELY. THEY WOULD BE IN DEFAULT AND THE AGREEMENT WOULD BE ENDED. IF YOU DON'T WAVE THIS EVENT OF
DEFAULT. >> SPEAKER: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS
OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? >> SPEAKER: THE ONLY PORTION THAT'S NOT BEEN DEVELOPED ON THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS THAT CORNER LOT. THEY WALMART AND THE NTB,
EVERYTHING ELSE. >> SPEAKER: IT'S A LOT THAT SITS BETWEEN THE THRIFT STORE AND THE WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET. PART OF THE REASON THAT THAT WAS EVER PUT ON THEM, WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER AGREEMENTS QUITE LIKE THIS ONE, AND WE PUT THIS ON THEM TO COMPEL THEM TO TRY TO GET THE ENTIRE SITE REDEVELOPED. AND ALSO BECAUSE OUR POLICY AT THE TIME WAS WE DON'T DO STANDALONE GROCERY STORES.
SO WE EXPECT YOU, THIS IS NOT OPELIKA ROAD AND EACH UNIVERSITY DRIVE AND THAT'S GREAT BUT WE EXPECT YOU TO DEVELOP MORE THAN JUST A GROCERY STORE ON THE SITE.
YOU JUST DID A PUBLIC STEEL ELSEWHERE AND THAT INVOLVED
[00:15:01]
PUBLICS AND SMALL SHOP SPACE. WE CONSIDER THAT MORE LIKE SHOPPING CENTER. THAT'S ALSO WHY WE DID NOT WANT TO INVEST IN THE ONE ON NORTH DONOHUE.I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE PROTOTYPE THAT WAS GOING TO BE USED WAS VERY DIFFERENT LOOKING PROTOTYPE THEN WHEN WE EFFECTED ARCHITECTURAL CHANGE ON.
IT DIRECTLY BENEFIT OF THE DONAHUE STORE AS WELL WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO CITY STAFF AT THE TIME.
>> SPEAKER: I KNOW WE ARE PRETTY STRENUOUS ON -- STRICT ON OUR INCENTIVES AND WE WANT TO HIT METRICS.
HOW WOULD YOU GAUGE THE SUCCESS OF THIS DEVELOPMENT, SOUNDS THE
ONE UNDEVELOPED LOT? >> SPEAKER: IT HAS BEEN WILDLY SUCCESSFUL AND WE HAVE WHAT IS A NEW LOOKING DEVELOPED, HEAVILY LANDSCAPED, UP TO A MUCH IMPROVED ARCHITECTURAL STANDARD COMPARED IF I SHOULD TO THE BEFORE AND AFTER OF THIS SITE AND WE KEEP ALL OF THOSE IN A FILE -- IT IS A MARKET IMPROVEMENT OUT THERE. IT WELCOMES YOU, THAT IS THE BUSIEST INTERSECTION IN AUBURN. YOU ARE MOVING 50 OF 60,000 CARS A DAY THROUGH THAT INTERSECTION. IT WAS CRITICAL TO US THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE -- IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY WE HAVE FOUR REDEVELOPED CORNERS, NOT JUST ONE BUT FOUR. THAT INTERSECTION WAS IN DIRE STRAITS BEFORE WE GOT STARTED WITH THIS PROGRAM.
THIS WAS A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND WE MADE MARKED IMPROVEMENTS IN INVESTMENT THERE , DECORATIVE MAST ARMS, DOUBLE LEFT TURN LANES, ALL KINDS OF THINGS TO MAKE THAT IT A BETTER FLOWING INTERSECTION AND AESTHETICALLY BETTER.
>> SPEAKER: MEGAN, WOULD YOU SAY THAT THE FACILITY THEY HAVE ON NORTH DONOHUE AND SHUG JORDAN HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND HAS MET A NEED IN THE NORTHWEST ARBOR COMMUNITY?
>> SPEAKER: ABSOLUTELY. THAT IS OUR LARGEST GROWTH QUADRANT OF THE CITY. IF YOU CONSIDER HIGHWAY 14 TO NORTH COLLEGE ST. LIKE A PIECE OF A PIE AND LOOK AT THAT WHOLE QUADRANT, THAT IS BY FAR IN THIS LAST DECADE THE LARGEST GROWTH ERA IN AUBURN BY A LONGSHOT. THERE WAS NO GROCERY STORE IN THAT AREA AT ALL ALSO YOU WERE REQUIRING PEOPLE, PUBLIX HAD COME ALONG THAT YOU WERE REQUIRING A LOT OF PEOPLE TO DRIVE EVEN FURTHER. THE GOAL WITH GROCERY STORES IS TO SERVE NEIGHBORHOODS AND REGIONS OF THE CITIES AND WE ARE ALWAYS ACTIVELY WORKING TO DO THAT.
DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE TO COMMUTE ANY FURTHER THAN THEY NEED TO TO GET TO GROCERY. BEFORE PUBLIX WAS IN AND BEFORE THAT WAS IN WE HAD KROGER AND SOME PEOPLE IN THAT AREA WERE DRIVING TO WINN-DIXIE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO.
NOW WE HAVE TWO WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKETS GENERALLY A LITTLE BIT CLOSER AND A PUBLIX. I ALSO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT JUST TO NOTE. WE BUILT A SIDEWALK AT THE SAME TIME. THE CITY MAKE SURE A SIDEWALK GOT INSTALLED AS PART OF THE SHUG JORDAN DONAHUE PROJECT TO MAKE IT WALKABLE FOR RESIDENTS OF NORTHWEST ARBOR.
WE ALSO HAVE HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES NEARBY AND WE WERE VERY INTERESTED IN BEING SURE WE MADE IT AS ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE, EVEN THOUGH IT SITS ON A VERY BUSY FOUR-LANE ROAD THAT PEOPLE COULD WALK THERE IF NEEDED TO.
>> SPEAKER: ANY OF THE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM COUNSEL? WE HAVE A MOTION AT THE SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY I. (ROLL CALL VOTE)
>> SPEAKER: MOTION CARRIES. HAVE A MOTION TO CONSIDER THE
BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> SPEAKER: A SECOND ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY I. (VOICE VOTE)
>> SPEAKER: THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.
[9. ORDINANCES. ]
>> SPEAKER: COUNSEL AND ORDINANCES THIS EVENING PROCEDURALLY WE ARE GOING TO BE MOVING MILDLY DIFFERENT THAN USUAL. SO BEAR WITH ME.
WE HAVE SOME ACTIONS GOING ON. WE HAVE AN APPLICANT REQUESTING A NUMBER OF POSTPONEMENTS SO I'M GOING TO MENTION THAT TO YOU ALONG THE WAY. SOMEBODY IS NOT CERTAIN, JUST STOP ME AND ASK WHAT'S GOING ON. IT'S NO BIG DEAL OTHER THAN THE FIRST FOUR OUT IN THE -- THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING POSTPONEMENTS AND WE ARE RUNNING THROUGH THESE AND I WILL EXPLAIN THAT ALONG THE WAY. UNDER ORDINANCES THIS EVENING ITEM NINE A1 IS A REQUEST FROM HUBERT BOATWRIGHT TO ANNEX APPROXIMATELY 1.76 ACRES LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF COX ROAD AND INTERSTATE 85. THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST AT ITS APRIL 8 2021 MEETING. THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING POSTPONEMENT OF THIS REQUEST TO THE JUNE 1, 2021, CITY COUNCIL MEETING. UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY.
>> SPEAKER: I WILL INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE AND MOVED TO POSTPONE TO DATE CERTAIN OF OUR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
>> SPEAKER: HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL REGARDING THIS MOTION? HEARING AND SAY NONE ROLL CALL. (ROLL CALL VOTE)
>> SPEAKER: ONE OF THE THINGS I'M ABOUT TO MAKE AN ADDITIONAL STATEMENT. WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING THIS WITH ORDINANCES COMING UP. WE WANT TO BE VERY DELIBERATE WITH THE PUBLIC AND EVERYBODY UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE NOW PASSED THROUGH FIRST READING OF THIS ITEM.
SO WHEN IT COMES BACK UP JUNE 1 THERE IS NO CONFUSION.
I'M GOING TO READ A STATEMENT AFTER THESE ALSO.
[00:20:01]
THAT THE RECORD REFLECT THAT COUNCILPERSON HOVEY HAS INTRODUCED THIS ORDINANCE FOR ITS FIRST READING.TO THE COUNCIL TONIGHT AND WE WILL HAVE A VOTE ON IT AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. READY FOR THE NEXT ITEM?
>> SPEAKER: WE ARE. >> SPEAKER: ITEM NINE A A2 IS IT ALLISON PAINTER TO ANNEX APPROXIMATELY 33.4 ACRES LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF COX ROAD AND INTERSTATE 85.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST AT ITS APRIL 8, 2021, MEETING.
THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING POSTPONEMENT OF THIS REQUEST TO THE JUNE 1, 2021, CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
UNANIMOUS CAN'T -- CONSENT IS NECESSARY.
>> SPEAKER: I WILL INTRODUCE THIS ORDINANCE.
AND MOVE TO POSTPONE IT TO DATE CERTAIN OF OUR NEXT MEETING JUN.
>> SPEAKER: SECOND. >> SPEAKER: HAVE A MOTION A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNSEL? HEARING NONE, LINDSAY, ROLL CALL? (ROLL CALL VOTE)
>> SPEAKER: LET THE RECORD REFLECT COUNCILPERSON HOVEY HAS INTRODUCED THIS ORDINANCE FOR ITS FIRST READING TO THE COUNCIL TONIGHT AND WE WILL HAVE A VOTE ON THIS AT ITS NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. ITEM 91 IS A REQUEST FROM GONZALEZ-STRENGTH & ASSOCIATES ON BEHALF OF HUBERT BOATWRIGHT TO REZONE A PROXIMATELY 1.76 ACRES LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF COX ROAD AND INTERSTATE 85 FROM RULE TO CONFERENCE OF DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST AT ITS APRIL 8, 2021, MEETING.
THE APPLICANT HAS REQUESTING POSTPONEMENT OF THIS REQUEST TO THE JUNE 1, 2021, CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY. A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED.
>> SPEAKER: I WILL INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE AND MOVED TO POSTPONE THIS ORDINANCE TO A DATE CERTAIN BEING THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING, JUNE 1 OF 2021.
>> SPEAKER: SECOND. >> SPEAKER: WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. AT THIS TIME MAKE AND WE HAVE
THE OTHER HEARING? >> SPEAKER: MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONSIDER HOLDING IT UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING SINCE THAT IS WHEN YOU ACT ON IT.
BUT IF THE COUNCIL IS SO COMPELLED YOU MAY ALSO OPEN THE
PUBLIC HEARING THIS EVENING. >> SPEAKER: SO IF THE COUNCIL IS OKAY, WE WILL DELAY THE PUBLIC HEARING UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING WHEN WE ACTUALLY VOTE ON THIS.
ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNSEL? LINDSAY? ROLL CALL. (ROLL CALL VOTE)
>> SPEAKER: LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT COUNCILPERSON SMITH HAS INTRODUCED TO THIS ORDINANCE FOR ITS FIRST READING TO THE COUNCIL TONIGHT AND WE WILL HAVE A VOTE ON IT AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. ITEM NINE B2 IS A REQUEST FROM GONZALEZ-STRENGTH & ASSOCIATES ON BEHALF OF HARRY AND ALISON PAINTER TO REZONE A PROXIMALLY 33.47 ACRES LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF COX ROAD AND INTERSTATE 85.
FROM RULE TO COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL AT ITS APRIL 8, 2021, MEETING. THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING POSTPONEMENT OF THIS REQUEST TO THE JUNE 1, 2021, CITY COUNCIL MEETING. UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY
AT A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED. >> SPEAKER: INTRODUCED THE ORDINANCE AND ASKED THAT WE MOVE TO POSTPONE TO A DATE CERTAIN.
THAT DIRT -- JUNE 1, 2021. >> SPEAKER: SECOND.
>> SPEAKER: WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.
AT THIS TIME WE WOULD NORMALLY GO INTO THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IT WAS ALL RIGHT WITH IT CITY COUNCIL WE WILL POSTPONE THE PUBLIC HEARING UNTIL JUNE 1 AS WELL.
AT THIS TIME IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OF QUESTION FROM THE COUNSEL? HEARING NONE WE WILL TAKE THE ROLL CALL. LINDSAY?
(ROLL CALL VOTE) >> SPEAKER: LET THE RECORD REQUEST THAT COUNCILPERSON SMITH HAS INTRODUCED THIS ORDINANCE FOR ITS FIRST READING TO THE COUNCIL AND WE WILL HAVE A VOTE ON IT AT THE LAST -- NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
THAT IS THE END OF THOSE POSTPONEMENT ITEMS AND FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC THOSE ALL HAVE TO DO WITH THE BUC EE'S PROJECT AND IT IS FOR GOOD REASON THAT IT JUST NEEDS TO BE DELAYED ON THE ZONING ACTIONS UNTIL JUNE 1. MOVING FORWARD ITEM NINE B3 IS A REQUEST FROM JOEL THUNDERBIRD ON BEHALF OF JCF TO REZONE APPROXIMATELY POINT FOR 1 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 601 AND 603 HARPER AVENUE AND 306 AND 308 SUMMER HILL ROAD FROM DEVELOPED DISTRICT HOUSING TO MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS DENIAL OF THIS REQUEST AT ITS APRIL 8, 2021, MEETING BY A VOTE OF FIVE TO FOUR.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY. A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED.
>> SPEAKER: I WILL INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE AND ASK FOR
UNANIMOUS CONSENT. >> SPEAKER: SECOND.
>> SPEAKER: MOTION TO SECOND. AND WENT ON THE COUNCIL HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH THE VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? SEEING OR HEARING NONE, WE WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE CITY COUNCIL, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS TAMMY THUNDERBIRD IN MY ADDRESS IS 2418'S KNOWS HILL RHÔNE AUBURN ALABAMA.
MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE OWNED THIS PROPERTY FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
IT'S LOCATED AT 601, 603 HARPER AND 306, 308 SUMMERHILL.
[00:25:06]
WE THE ZONING CHANGE TO BRING OUR PROPERTY BACK IN COMPLIANCE FROM THE LAST ZONING CHANGE.THERE ARE TWO UNITS PER LOT AND A NEW ZONE WILL NOT CHANGE THAT.
TO MEMBERS OF THE ZONING COMMISSION SAID THAT THIS IS SPOT ZONING FOR THE PLANNING DIRECTOR TOLD HIM IT WASN'T.
THIS PROPERTY IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE ZONING WE ARE ASKING FOR. SO ALL WE ARE ASKING IS THAT YOU DO AS THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED AND APPROVE THIS
ZONING. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNSEL? WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY DISCUSSIONS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNSEL?
ANYONE? >> SPEAKER: YES, MISTER MAYOR.
>> SPEAKER: GO AHEAD MR. GROWS BALD.
>> SPEAKER: THIS WAS IS JUST REZONED IN MARCH 2019 AFTER AN EXTENSIVE PROCESS FOR THAT ENTIRE AREA OF REZONING.
IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THERE'S MUCH PERMANENCY IN OUR ZONING IF THIS IS INDICATIVE OF IT THAN OUR PUBLIC HAS A DIFFICULT TIME FIGURING OUT JUST WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.
ZONING IS GOING TO CHANGE IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
ONE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS EVEN REFER TO THIS AS A CONVENIENCE REZONING. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE TWO UNITS THAT ARE THERE WITH TWO OTHER UNITS, OF A LARGER SIZE, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY NONCOMPLIANT DUE TO
THE SIZE OF THE LOT. >> SPEAKER: I HAVE THE PLANNING DIRECTOR ANSWER FURTHER FOR THE QUESTIONS IF YOU NEED.
>> SPEAKER: THE LOTS ARE OF THE RIGHT SIZE.
>> SPEAKER: FOR THE NEW DEVELOPMENT.
>> SPEAKER: CORRECTED BUT JUST DON'T MEET THE DENSITY.
DUPLEXES ARE ALREADY PERMITTED IN DDH.
>> SPEAKER: THEY ARE CONDITIONALLY USED.
>> SPEAKER: SO INSTEAD OF REZONING, COULD THIS NOT BE A
CONTINUATION OF CONDITIONAL USE? >> SPEAKER: NO, BECAUSE THE DENSITY OF DDH IS FIVE AND A HALF UNITS AN ACRE.
THESE LOTS ARE TWO TENTHS OF AN ACRE SO THEY ARE ONLY ALLOWED ONE UNIT ON THE LOT SPECS OF THE LOT SIZE IS ONE OF THE
DETERMINING FACTORS. >> SPEAKER: YES.
>> SPEAKER: AND DDH ALLOWS FOR TWO UNRELATED OCCUPANTS IS THAT
>> SPEAKER: DDH CAN ONLY HAVE TWO UNRELATED PARK WHERE AS IF WE PURSUE WITH MDRD, THERE ARE FIVE UNRELATED.
>> SPEAKER: THAT IS CORRECT. >> SPEAKER: SO IN THEORY THIS COULD BECOME A DUES OR OTHER TYPE OF STRUCTURES.
>> SPEAKER: ACTUALLY, AND MDRD, THE RESIDENTIAL UNITS THAT ARE ALLOWED BY RIGHT ARE SINGLE-FAMILY ZERO LOT LINE TOWNHOUSE, TWIN HOUSE AND COTTAGE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
ADD YOU AND MULTIPLE UNIT DEVELOPMENT ARE CONDITIONAL.
>> SPEAKER: OKAY. SO IN THEORY THAT COULD HAPPEN.
>> SPEAKER: POSSIBILITY. >> SPEAKER: BUT THE DIFFERENCE TO ME IS GOING FROM TWO UNRELATED TO FIVE UNRELATED IN WHAT HAS BEEN A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE FOR A WHILE.
SO THAT'S MY ISSUE. I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS REQUEST FOR REZONING AND WOULD LIKE TO GO ALONG WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION TO DENY IT.
>> SPEAKER: NO, SIR, WE CAN'T ALLOW YOU TO TALK.
YOU ARE OUT OF ORDER. ANYBODY ELSE ON THE COUNSEL?
>> SPEAKER: WHEN WE ARE CONSIDERING REZONING, WHAT ARE WE ALLOWED TO CONSIDER? WHAT ARE THE PARAMETERS COUNSEL IS ENTITLED TO CONSIDER? WHAT IS GOING TO BE BUILT THERE OR WHAT ARE OUR PARAMETERS THERE?
>> SPEAKER: YOUR GENERAL PARAMETERS OR WHETHER OR NOT IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE AREA BASED ON MAINLY USUALLY LAND USE PLAN. AS WELL AS RECOMMENDATIONS OF CIRCUMSTANCES. I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE OUR ACTING PLANNING DIRECTOR EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE STUDY IN 2019 AND WHY THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN -- WHY WAS THIS NOT SUGGESTED TO BE MDRD IN 2019 WHEN THAT STUDY TOOK PLACE.
I THINK THE COUNCIL HAS TO CONSIDER ONE OTHER ITEM AS THE PLANNING STAFF'S SIGNAL DIRECTLY THEY INTEND TO STUDY THIS AREA IMMEDIATELY. THERE ARE OTHER PARCELS AND IT IS ALSO IN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT IN THE PACKET.
THERE ARE OTHER PARCELS ON SUMMERHILL THAT HAVE THE SAME SITUATION AND ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE HERE IS THAT THESE DUPLEXES, IF YOU HAVE BEEN BY, ARE IN NEED OF SOME CHANGE. ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING CONSIDERED NONCONFORMING IN AN AREA IS WHEN
[00:30:01]
YOU GO TO IMPROVE IT AND THE VALUATION EXCEEDS THE VALUE OF YOUR IMPROVEMENT IS MORE THAN 5E EXISTING VALUATION, SO IF THEY ARE WORTH $200,000 NOW AND YOU WANT TO PUT $101,000 IN THEM YOU CAN'T DO THAT. SO IT ACTUALLY MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR A DEVELOPER TO COME IN AND INVEST MONEY TO ACTUALLY SPRUCE UP, ENHANCE, DO WHATEVER BECAUSE THEY RUN INTO A VALUATION CAUSE AND A NONCONFORMITY.I HAVE KATIE GO INTO A LITTLE MORE OF THAT BUT THAT'S PART OF THE CHALLENGE WITH ALL OF THESE PROPERTIES.
IS THAT CORRECT, KATIE? >> SPEAKER: THAT IS CORRECT.
THERE ARE NINE DUPLEXES IN THE AREA.
SIX -- FIVE OF THEM ARE DIRECTLY ON SUMMERHILL.
THEY WERE BUILT BETWEEN 1960 AND 1979 AND SO THEY ARE A LITTLE LONG IN THE TOOTH. WHEN THE PERFORMANCE ZONING ORDINANCE WAS PUT IN PLACE IN '84, THEY WERE GIVEN THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF AN C5. THEY SAT AS SINGLE-FAMILY ZONE SINCE THEN IN THE HOPES THAT IT WOULD ONE DAY WE DEVELOPED TO A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME. BUT THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED.
IT MAKES SENSE FOR THIS AREA TO BE A TRANSITION FROM THE HIGHER DENSITY MULTIPLE UNIT DEVELOPMENT AREA ON THE OTHER SIGNED OF SUMMERHILL TO ALLOW THE DUPLEXES TO REMAIN AND BE IMPROVED ADJACENT TO THE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE --
RESIDENCES TO THE EAST. >> SPEAKER: NOW THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED APPROVAL, BUT COMMISSION DID NOT.
TO HAVE AN IDEA OF THE DIFFERENCE?
>> SPEAKER: IT WAS SPLIT ON THE HIGHER SITE BEING NO.
BUT IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO APPROVE WITH THE FORESIGHT OF GOING BACK LATER AND LOOKING AT THE AREA AROUND IT TO MAKE A CHANGE TO REZONE THOSE EXISTING DUPLEXES TO MDRD.
ESPECIALLY THOSE ALONG SUMMERHILL.
LIKE I SAID, WE HAVEN'T LIKE CITY MANAGER CROUCH SAID, WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO REVIEW AND REVISIT THAT AREA AGAIN, BUT WE DO PLAN TO DO SO TO SEE IF IT MAKES BETTER SENSE TO REVERT THAT BACK TO A ZONE THAT WOULD ALLOW DUPLEXES TO BE IMPROVED
AND REMAIN. >> SPEAKER: IS OUT THE REASON FOR THE DENIAL FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION?
>> SPEAKER: THEY WERE SPLIT. SOME OF THEM WANTED TO WAIT AND ZONE ALL OF IT AT ONE TIME INSTEAD OF GOING AHEAD AND APPROVING THIS AND THEN COMING BACK AND CITY INITIATED REZONING FOR THE OTHERS. BUT STAFF'S APPROACH WAS, WE DIDN'T WANT TO HOLD THEM UP FROM GOING AHEAD AND IMPROVING THOSE THAT THEY OWN WHEN WE WERE JUST PROBABLY GOING TO RECOMMEND THAT IT CHANGE STAFF INITIATED IN THE FUTURE.
>> SPEAKER: AND THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY QUESTION.
DO WE KNOW IF THE STUDY WAS DONE HOW LONG THAT WILL TAKE? I KNOW THERE WAS ORIGINALLY A HARPER AVENUE STUDY.
>> SPEAKER: THAT WAS IN I THINK SPRING OF '19.
>> SPEAKER: THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED?
>> SPEAKER: IT HAS PICKED THIS AREA WAS IN C AND THEN CHANGED TO DDH SPECS WE DON'T KNOW TODAY DON'T YOU FORGET THAT STUDY THAT THE RECOMMENDATION IS -- RECOMMENDATION WILL BE.
>> SPEAKER: MDRD WOULD BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE SPECS AND WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR WOULD BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE?
>> SPEAKER: YES. >> SPEAKER: YOU HAVE A TIMELINE FOR STAFF GOING BACK TO REVIEW THIS?
IN YOUR CALENDAR? >> SPEAKER: I DO NOT.
BUT IT WOULD BE PROBABLY SOMETIME THIS YEAR IF NOT SOONER WE HAVE THE FIVE YEAR UPDATE FOR THE COMP PLAN COMING UP THIS YEAR SO I WOULD IMAGINE IT WOULD BE PRIOR TO THAT.
>> SPEAKER: WHAT TYPE OF TIME FRAME DO YOU ANTICIPATE IT REQUIRING ONCE YOU DO A REVIEW AND SURVEY?
>> SPEAKER: I WOULDN'T SUSPECT IT WOULD TAKE TOO VERY LONG.
TWO MONTHS, MAYBE. >> SPEAKER: KATIE, HOW MANY
PARCELS VERSUS UNITS IS IT? >> SPEAKER: THERE ARE NINE
DUPLEXES TOTAL. >> SPEAKER: SPECS WITH 18
UNITS, NINE PARCELS. >> SPEAKER: RIGHT.
>> SPEAKER: SO NOT A LENGTHY STUDY.
WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE WORK PROGRAM FOR THE STAFF BUT THAT COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME.
I WAS ALSO LISTENING TO THAT PARTICULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND MY IMPRESSION IS EXACTLY THE SAME.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION WAS JUST VERY SPLIT ON WHETHER OR NOT TO STUDY THE WHOLE THING. THAT SEEMED TO BE -- YOU DON'T USUALLY SEE THAT LEVEL OF SPLIT VOTE AMONG PLANNING COMMISSIONERS AND IT WAS THE STRUGGLE FOR THEM WAS WHETHER OR
[00:35:03]
NOT TO STUDY THE WHOLE THING OR IF STAFF IS RECOMMENDING AND FEELS THEY ARE GOING TO RECOMMEND MDRD MOVING FORWARD, THEN THERE WAS THIS NOTION AMONG THE ONES WHO VOTED ON THE SITE TO ALLOW IT TO MOVE FORWARD WAS, IF WE ARE GOING TO MOVE THIS THEN HERE WE ARE. BUT THAT IS CERTAINLY UP TO THE COUNCIL'S PLEASURE YOU WANT TO DO.>> SPEAKER: BUT IN SUMMATION, THE DENIAL WAS BECAUSE IT WASN'T APPROPRIATE. IT'S JUST BECAUSE WE WANTED TO DO A STUDY. THAT STUDY MAY END UP TELLING US THE EXACT PROPERTY ZONE IS APPROPRIATE.
>> SPEAKER: CORRECT. >> SPEAKER: THOSE WHO VOTED IN FAVOR OF DENIAL WAS MY IMPRESSION THAT WE WERE PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE PROCEDURALLY.
THE STUDY TRADITIONALLY HAS GONE FIRST AND FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES THIS LOOKS, HAS THE APPEARANCE OF SPOT ZONING.
>> SPEAKER: I WOULD DISAGREE. SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE IS MDRD ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SUMMERHILL. IT IS NOT LIKE IT'S IN AN ISLAND
THANKS. >> SPEAKER: WHEN YOU SAY THERE IS NINE UNITS OR 18 RESIDENCES, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ENTIRE AREA THAT IS CURRENTLY ZONED DDH? EVERYTHING IS YELLOW ON THE CHART? IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT?
THERE WERE FIVE ON SUMMERHILL. >> SPEAKER: CORRECT.
THERE ARE FIVE LOTS ON SUMMERHILL.
EACH OF THOSE CONTAINING A DUPLEX.
SO THERE ARE TEN UNITS. >> SPEAKER: I THOUGHT YOU SAID THERE WERE NINE. SO TEN.
>> SPEAKER: YES. THE TWO LOTS ON FLORENCE, ONE BEING THE CORNER LOT ON SUMMERHILL AND FLORENCE, AND THE ONE ADJACENT, THOSE TWO WERE BOTH DUPLEXES.
THE FOUR TO THE SOUTH ON SUMMERHILL ARE DUPLEXES.
>> SPEAKER: THE SOUTH OF WHAT? >> SPEAKER: SOUTH OF FLORENCE
ON SUMMERHILL. >> SPEAKER: ARE THERE ANY SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ON SUMMERHILL BETWEEN HARPER AND
OLD STAGE? >> SPEAKER: BETWEEN HARPER AND OLD STAGE -- I DO NOT BELIEVE SO.
NO. >> SPEAKER: ON THE AREA ZONED
ALREADY MDRD, YES. >> SPEAKER: I MEANT.
>> SPEAKER: ON THE SIDE, NO. >> SPEAKER: I HAVE TO AGREE WITH MR. PARSONS. IT CERTAINLY APPEARS THAT WE ARE CHERRY PICKING TWO LOTS OUT OF A WHOLE DDH AREA.
IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT, I THINK WE OUGHT TO TAKE A LOOK OF A PROCESS THAT WE HAVE USED IN THE PAST AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING SOMETHING DELIBERATE INSTEAD OF JUST CHERRY PICKING TWO LOTS OUT OF THE WHOLE AREA FOR REZONING.
>> SPEAKER: ANY OTHER COMMENTS IN THE COUNSEL?
>> SPEAKER: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THIS PROPERTY RECEIVED ANY RENOVATION? DO YOU KNOW?
>> SPEAKER: I DO NOT KNOW THAT. >> SPEAKER: QUITE SOME TIME,
THESE TWO LOTS WERE CONSTRUCTED IN '67 AND '73.
>> SPEAKER: I USED TO GO PAST THEIR QUITE A BIT AT A PREVIOUS LIFE. HAVE BEEN THERE RECENTLY.
WHAT I'VE SEEN OVER THERE I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING THAT THE OWNER IS WILLING TO IMPROVE IT AND BEING IMPROVED FOR THE COMMUNITY. I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF GIVING HOW MUCH IMPROVEMENT IT NEEDS. I'M EXCITED THAT THEY WOULD BE
ABOUT TO IMPROVE THIS. >> SPEAKER: I WOULD ECHO THAT AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THAT WARD.
SOME OF THESE -- WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE ANY KIND OF IMPROVEMENT THAT WE CAN MAKE IN THIS AREA.
IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS TO PUT -- TO REDEVELOP THIS AREA. THERE IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY AND HAS BEEN STATED, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ONLY DELAY, THE REASON WE HAVE A PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION AND THE COMMISSION UNITED BASED ON A FUTURE STUDY THAT MAY END UP PUTTING US IN THE SAME PLACE, I THINK IT IS ADVANTAGEOUS AND THEIR DUTY TO THE PUBLIC NOT TO DELAY PROPERTY OWNERS.
IF WE ARE GOING TO GET TO THAT PATH AT THE END, WHY DELAY IT? IT'S UNNECESSARY. I WOULD ASK FOR SUPPORT ON THAT.
>> SPEAKER: ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNSEL?
>> SPEAKER: THE RESIDENCE THAT DO LIVE IN THE AREA, DO THEY COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION OR ANYTHING?
>> SPEAKER: ANY CITIZENS COMMENTS?
>> SPEAKER: YET, ANY CITIZEN'S COMMENTS?
>> SPEAKER: I CAN'T RECALL THAT WE HAD ANY PARTICIPATION IN THE
PUBLIC HEARING. >> SPEAKER: BUT THERE WAS A
PUBLIC HEARING. >> SPEAKER: YES.
[00:40:12]
>> SPEAKER: THAT THE ONLY QUESTION I HAD.
>> SPEAKER: I DO NOT HAVE THAT NOTED IN MY NOTE HERE.
THERE WERE NO CITIZENS DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> SPEAKER: WHEN YOU SAY IT WOULD -- IT WILL PROBABLY BE REZONED TO MDRD, HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU IN THAT WORD PROBABLY?
>> SPEAKER: I AM PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT THE DUPLEXES ALONG SUMMERHILL WILL BE REZONED TO MDRD.
NOW, THE ONES ADJACENT TO THAT ON THE EAST SIDE OF THAT, I AM LESS CONFIDENT IN THAT THAT THOSE WILL CHANGE.
>> SPEAKER: I'M NOT A PROCEDURAL GUIDE.
BUT I DO CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU AS A DEVELOPER PUTTING AN INVESTMENT INTO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THESE PROPERTIES.
I DO LIKE THE PROCEDURE OF HAVING A STEADY AND HAVING CLEAR INFORMATION ABOUT LONG TERM DIRECTION.
HOWEVER, I AM GOING -- I WILL BE WILLING TO SEE THIS WITH THE ANTICIPATION THAT YOUR ZONING STUDY WILL MAKE IT IN COMPLIANCE
WITH ITS NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES. >> SPEAKER: I WILL PIGGYBACK THAT, BOB. I APPRECIATE THE NOTION OF NOT TRYING TO CHERRY PICK AREAS -- I WILL AVOID SAYING SPOT ZONING.
INSTEAD OF CHERRY PICKING. BUT BEING ADJACENT TO CURRENT MDRD AND A PROBABLE RECOMMENDATION BY STAFF -- RECOMMENDATION BY STAFF TO IMPROVE THIS -- PROBABLE REZONING SUGGESTION FROM STAFF FOR THESE FIVE LOTS.
IT'S NO STRETCH. I DON'T MIND GOING AHEAD AND TRYING TO ENCOURAGE THAT REDEVELOPMENT UNDER THOSE
CIRCUMSTANCES. >> SPEAKER: THE DISCUSSION WE HAVE ALREADY HEARD HERE TONIGHT I APPRECIATE IT AND YOU HAVE SWAYED ME AND I WILL ALSO BE SUPPORTING THIS.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? >> SPEAKER: SO MOVED.
>> SPEAKER: SECOND. >> SPEAKER: HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. WE WILL DO THE ROLL CALL NOW, LINDSAY. (ROLL CALL VOTE)
>> SPEAKER: ITEM 9C IS A REQUEST TO AMEND ARTICLE TWO DEFINITION SECTION 203 ARTICLE FIVE DETAILED USE REGULATION SECTIONS 507, 508, 509 AND TABLES 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6, 5-7, AND ARTICLE SIX SIGNED SECTION 60504 OF THE CITY OF AUBURN ZONING ORDINANCE TO ADD NEW LANGUAGE RELATING TO THE DOWNTOWN DESIGN STANDARDS. THIS PROCESS IS THE OUTCOME OF A REQUEST OF THE COUNSEL TO THE DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO MODIFY DOWNTOWN REGULATIONS TO ENCOURAGE BETTER DESIGN IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY AT A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED.
>> SPEAKER: I WILL INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE AND ASKED FOR
>> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND. ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH THE VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? SEEING AND HEARING THEN WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
SEEING NO ONE WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
END OF DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNSEL?
>> SPEAKER: YES MR. MAYOR I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT I MOVE TO AMEND STRUCTURE HEIGHT IN TABLES 5-3, 5-5, 5-6 AND 5-7 TO ONLY ALLOW THE PARAPET TO BE AN ADDITIONAL 4 FEET OF HEIGHT.
>> SPEAKER: SECOND. >> SPEAKER: MAKE IT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I HANDLE THIS THE RIGHT WAY.
MR. GRISWOLD HAS OFFERED AN AMENDMENT.
WE DO HAVE A SECOND ON THAT. MY NEXT STEP IS.
>> SPEAKER: DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT AND ON THE AMENDMENT
ONLY. >> SPEAKER: IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE IT, THERE IS A MARKED UP COPY THAT I SHARE WITH YOU.
>> SPEAKER: AT THIS TIME WE WILL HAVE COUNSEL DISCUSSION REGARDING THE AMENDMENT. THE AMENDMENT ONLY.
>> SPEAKER: YOU HAVE TO TURN A FEW PAGES IN YOUR AMENDED DOCUMENT BECAUSE IT IS IN THE TABLES IN THE BACK.
[00:45:02]
BUT THAT IS THE ORDINANCE WITH THE RED LINE STRIKETHROUGH FORYOU. >> SPEAKER: LET ME ELABORATE -- AS WE ALL KNOW, BUILDING HEIGHT IS AN EMOTIONAL TOPIC DOWNTOWN.
WE HAVE GONE FROM 65 TO 75 TO WHO KNOWS WHAT.
WE HAVE HAD PARAPET HEIGHT ADDED ON TO THAT IN THE PAST TO ALLOW FOR FEET, AND IT SEEMED LIKE WE ARE JUST CONTINUING TO INCH FORWARD, INCH FORWARD, THIS MAKES IT A PARAPET OF 6 FEET IF WE WERE TO PASS THIS AS RECOMMENDED TO US.
I WOULD OPPOSE ANY ADDITIONAL HEIGHT.
I KNOW THE FOLKS THAT FOUGHT ABOUT BUILDING HEIGHT, THEY WOULD HAVE OBJECTED TO A SINGLE INCH, MUCH LESS ANOTHER 2 FEET.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION WHEN THEY WENT FROM 65 TO 75 WENT THROUGH SOME THEATRICS AND BROUGHT BOUGHT A 10-FOOT POLE AND SAID, CAN YOU REALLY TELL THE DIFFERENCE? I'M NOT GOING TO BRING A POLL, BUT WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT IS. BUT IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT IT FROM THE STREET, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE SOMETHING ON TOP OF A ROOF WITH A SIX-FOOT PARAPET THAT YOU WOULDN'T HAVE SEEN WITH A 4-FOOT PARAPET. SO I DON'T REALLY SEE MUCH DIFFERENCE THERE. IT IS AN OBJECTION TO OVERALL THE HEIGHT CREEP, IF YOU WILL, THROUGHOUT THE DOWNTOWN SECTOR.
>> SPEAKER: MS. CROUSE, COULD YOU GIVE US.
>> SPEAKER: THESE FOUR TABLES THAT ARE REFERENCED ARE THE SPECIFIC PLACES WHERE THAT WOULD CHANGE.
IT WOULD JUST REMAIN AS IS RATHER THAN ADDING AN ADDITIONAL
2 FEET. >> SPEAKER: FIRST OF ALL, I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE EFFORT OF SO MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO GET US TO THIS POINT.
THIS WAS SUCH A COMBINATION OF CITIZENS AND STAKEHOLDERS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THIS INDUSTRY , ALONG WITH OUR GREAT PLANNING STAFF, ARE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND THE DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW TEAM SPENT LOTS OF TIME.
THERE WERE PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD AND I WANT TO SAY GENERALLY I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE CONCERTED EFFORT TO LOOK AT THESE CHANGES.
MS. CROUSE, COULD YOU GIVE US, OR MAYBE MS. ROBINSON, COULD GIVE US AN IDEA OF HOW WE GOT TO THIS FOR THE 6-FOOT ON THE PARAPET AND WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR THAT?
WAS THE NEED FOR THAT? >> SPEAKER: I WILL HAVE KATIE GO INTO ADDITIONAL DETAILS IN A MINUTE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AS OUTCOME OF THIS PROCESS THAT THE UNDERSTANDING AND UNDERLYING THEME WAS THE DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE IS TASKED AND IMPORTANTLY TASKED WITH HELPING TO IMPLEMENT THE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN AND TO IMPROVE DESIGN OF BUILDINGS. WE HAVE LARGER AND TALLER BUILDINGS AND THERE HAS BEEN QUITE A BIT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THESE BUILDINGS AND THEIR MAIN FOCUS WAS WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHANGE THE ZONING ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS CREATE NEW DESIGN STANDARDS THAT ARE ASKS. THEY ARE NOT MUSTS.
TO IMPROVE DESIGN OF BUILDINGS. I TELL YOU I WILL HAVE KATIE GO INTO MUCH MORE DETAIL ABOUT IT FROM THE PLANNING LENS, BUT I SAT, I WAS A MEMBER OF THE DESIGN COMMUTE -- SITTING IN THERE, THEIR ONLY GOAL WAS TO IMPROVE DESIGN.
THIS PARAPET CHANGE HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH ACQUIRING A VARIATION IN A ROOFLINE AND GIVING PEOPLE AN ADDITIONAL 2 FEET TO DO IT. IT'S NOT 2 FEET OF HABITABLE SPACE. IT'S NOT 2 FEET OF SPACE THAT ELIMINATES USAGE OF THE BUILDING TO THE 75 FEET IN HEIGHT.
WHAT IT IS IS AN INEXPENSIVE WAY TO GET BETTER ARCHITECTURE ON THESE BUILDINGS AND TO HAVE BETTER VARIATION IN THE ROOFLINES. I WILL HAVE KATIE PROVIDE MORE
DETAIL. >> SPEAKER: IF I MAY JUMP IN, LET'S GET A DEFINITION OF A PARAPET WALL.
>> SPEAKER: THAT'S A GREAT STARTING POINT.
>> SPEAKER: WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE CAP OF A FLAT ROOF THAT IS THERE FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSES OR TO HIDE PERHAPS ROOFTOP UTILITIES AND THAT SORT OF THING.
>> SPEAKER: YOU HAVE YOUR PLANNING DEGREE.
>> SPEAKER: I'VE BEEN AROUND FOR LITTLE WHILE.
THAT'S A GOOD NOTE TO AT LEAST EXPLAIN THAT.
>> SPEAKER: KATIE, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> SPEAKER: YOU ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 4 FEET OF DECORATIVE CORNICE OR PARAPET JUST TO EXTEND FROM THE FLAT ROOF THAT IS TYPICALLY IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT.
LIKE YOU SAID, TO SHIELD MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT OR TO ADD
VARIATION IN THE ROOFLINES. >> SPEAKER: KATIE, IT'S NOT -- IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S PART OF THE FAÇADE BUT IT'S ACTUALLY CONSTRUCTED SEPARATELY AND A PART FROM.
IT'S ATTACHED DIFFERENTLY. IT IS LIGHTER IN NATURE FROM A STRUCTURAL STANDPOINT SO IT DOESN'T MESS THE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS OF THE BUILDING. TYPICALLY USED TO SCREEN.
WE ALSO SEE PARAPET IN NONURBAN ENVIRONMENTS.
YOU SEE THEM IN ALL OF OUR SUBURBAN SHOPPING CENTERS PICK THEY ARE PROVIDING VARIATION IN THE BUILDING BUT ALSO OFTEN SCREENING MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT THAT NOBODY WANTS TO LOOK AT.
>> SPEAKER: IS THERE A SPECIFIC REASON WHY IT IS FOR 6 FEET
INSTEAD OF UP TO 6 FEET? >> SPEAKER: THE PROPOSED CHANGES IS FOUR TO 6 FEET. WE DIDN'T KNOW IF WE DIDN'T WANT INDIVIDUALS TO THINK THAT YOU HAD TO DO SIX OR YOU HAD TO DO FOR. YOU COULD YOU ANY OF THE ABOVE
[00:50:03]
FROM 75 FEET OR IT IS THE MAX IN CERTAIN AREAS OF TOWN YOU COULD DO 77 FEET. TWO ADDITIONAL FOOT FOR A PARAPET. THAT 2-FOOT DIFFERENCE I WOULDN'T IMAGINE -- I THINK YOU ARE ALLOWED A GREATER PRODUCT WHEN YOU HAVE A VARIABLE THAT YOU CAN EXTEND.I THINK THAT 6-FOOT WOULD ALLOW THAT.
>> SPEAKER: THE FOUR TO SIX FOOT IS SIGNALING AND ENCOURAGING THE FOUR TO 6-FOOT AS OPPOSED TO UP TO 6 FEET AND SOMEBODY MAY CHOOSE NOT TO DO AT ALL.
>> SPEAKER: SURE. >> SPEAKER: SO THAT SUPPOSED TO BE READ AS THE MINIMUM IS FOUR AND THE MAXIMUM IS SIX.
>> SPEAKER: YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A PARAPET.
>> SPEAKER: I'M JUST TRYING TO GATHER IF THERE IS SOME SPECIFIC REASON WHY -- IT FEELS LIKE IT WAS UP TO SIX WOULD BE MORE
SPECIFIC THAN FOUR TO SIX. >> SPEAKER: THAT I DON'T KNOW.
>> SPEAKER: THAT'S WHAT I WAS ASKING.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS SOME SPECIFIC REASON.
SORRY. >> SPEAKER: I THINK IT'S MERELY A SUGGESTION BECAUSE THE WAY THAT A READ YOU HAVE TO PUT ONE AT ALL. BUT 46 IS A SUGGESTION.
I THINK WE ACKNOWLEDGE IT COULD SAY UP TO SIX BUT THE ORDINANCE THAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH IT SAYS FOR-6.
>> SPEAKER: MACON, PICKED UP DO YOU SAID -- EVEN REGARDLESS OF ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO THIS LANGUAGE CONTAINED IN THESE, THESE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS AS OPPOSED TO MANDATORY REGULATIONS.
>> SPEAKER: THESE ARE MANDATORY.
THEY ARE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ALSO FOLLOW THIS.
WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD SINCE 2006 URBAN CORE DESIGN STANDARDS.
MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT WE HAVE THEM.
WE HAVE WILLIAMS BLACKSTOCK ARCHITECTURE AND THE COMMITTEE THAT JAN DEMPSEY LEAD, A FORMER MAYOR, FOR DESIGN STANDARDS.
THE CHALLENGE WITH THAT DOCUMENT IS WE CAN'T MAKE YOU COMPLY WITH IT. IT IS A SUGGESTION.
SO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS THE DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE HAS WORKED UP AND WILL BE PROVIDED IN A GUIDELINES STYLE DOCUMENT IN TANDEM WITH THE ZONING ORDINANCE. THE BEAUTY WITH THESE ZONING ORDINANCE CHANGES IS IT WILL BE CODIFIED IF YOU ADOPT THIS AND THESE WILL BE MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.
>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IF STAFF UNDERSTOOD CORRECTLY, COUNSEL WANTED SOME MORE TEETH IN DESIGN TO THE EXTENT OF ALABAMA LAW AND THAT
IS WHAT WE ARE PRODUCING HERE. >> SPEAKER: YOU MENTIONED THAT THESE PARAPET WALLS ARE NOT REQUIRED, OBVIOUSLY.
BUT IN THEORY ANYWAY THEY ARE THERE FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSES AND SCREENING OF SORTS, PROBABLY SCREENING IS THE MOST TYPICAL USE FOR THESE. I AGREE, KELLEY.
THIS HEIGHT HAS BEEN -- MY MOTHER IS RIGHT THERE WITH THE REST OF THEM. AND INCHES TOO MUCH.
BUT FOR ARGUMENTS SAKE, I COULD BUILD A 75-FOOT BUILDING, PUT A 52-INCH AIR CONDITIONING UNIT UP TO THE EDGE OF THAT BUILDING, AND NOT COVER IT WITH A 6-FOOT PARAPET WALL.
ALL DAY LONG. >> SPEAKER: IT CAN'T BE VISIBLE. IT DEPENDS ON THE ARCHITECTURE OF YOUR BUILDING. IF YOU WERE ACTUALLY TO PUT A FLAT ROOF AND THEN PUT AN AIR CONDITIONER ON TOP OF IT AND WE CAN ACTUALLY SEE IT FROM THE ROAD WE WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM.
IF YOU PUT IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOF AND WE CANNOT SEE IT STANDING BELOW IN THE STREET, THEN YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THAT OBJECTIVE. BUT THE HEIGHT INCREASE IN THE PARAPET HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH ARCHITECTURE WHICH IS WE ARE REQUIRING A BETTER VARIATION OF ROOFLINES AS PART OF THIS.
AND IT WAS GIVING PEOPLE SOME EXTRA HEIGHT TO DO SO.
BUT THERE IS NO GAMESMANSHIP IN THIS.
THERE IS NO -- NOBODY GETS AN ADVANTAGE FROM MORE HABITABLE
SPACE. >> SPEAKER: THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. IT DOESN'T AFFECT MY 75-FOOT BUILDING HEIGHT. ALL IT DOES IS POTENTIALLY AVOID A NEGATIVE SCREENING OF STUFF ON THE ROOF WE DON'T WANT TO SEE.
THAT'S MY INTERPRETATION. I THINK.
>> SPEAKER: THAT YOU WOULDN'T SEE ANYWAY --
>> SPEAKER: IN THE ROOF VARIATION, THE CHALLENGE WAS WHEN YOU TAKE SOMETHING AWAY FROM PEOPLE IN THE NAME OF THE SIGN, THERE IS A CHALLENGE. WHEN YOU MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM AND COST-EFFECTIVE FOR THEM TO IMPROVE THEIR DESIGN, THEY WILL DO SO TYPICALLY. AND SO SOME OF THIS IS ALSO BORNE OUT OF THE FEEDBACK THAT FROM DESIGN PROFESSIONALS AND SAYING THAT WE CAN LIVE WITH THIS CHANGE AND MAKE A BETTER VARIATION IN ROOF BECAUSE WE ARE FINDING A WAY TO MAKE IT COST-EFFECTIVE AT THE SAME TIME. THE UNTRAINED I THEY MAY NOT NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE, BUT THAT IS THE WIDE.
THE ADDITIONAL 2 FEET IS JUST MAKING THAT A LITTLE BIT BETTER BUT THAT IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNSEL.
[00:55:03]
>> SPEAKER: WHAT WOULD BE A REASON THAT WE WOULD EVER RAISE THE PARAPET HEIGHT IN THE FUTURE?
IS THERE A REASON FOR THAT? >> SPEAKER: JUST TO ALLOW THE GREATER FLEXIBILITY OF ADDING THAT VERTICAL ARTICULATION OF
THE BUILDING. >> SPEAKER: BUT THE PEOPLE THAT WERE MAKING THESE DETERMINATIONS AND TALKING ABOUT THIS FELT LIKE 6 FEET WAS THE RIGHT NUMBER AND THAT.
>> SPEAKER: THERE WAS NO ARGUMENT.
>> SPEAKER: SOME UP AGAIN. WHAT'S THE TO THE DIFFERENCE? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN ARCHITECTURALLY?
WHAT WILL THAT DO? >> SPEAKER: HOPING THAT IT WILL ADD CHANGES IN THE ROOFLINE TO WHERE IT IS NOT ALL STRAIGHT ACROSS AND YOU'VE GOT THE VERTICAL ARTICULATION OF THE BUILDING TO WHERE IT IS JUST A DIFFERENT ROOFLINE.
I DON'T HAVE -- >> SPEAKER: IT ADDS TO THE
AESTHETICS. >> SPEAKER: ABSOLUTELY.
>> SPEAKER: I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THAT 2-FOOT
DIFFERENCE. >> SPEAKER: IT JUST GIVES THEM
MORE FLEXIBILITY. >> SPEAKER: AND IT COULD
PROVIDE MORE VARIATION. >> SPEAKER: SO COULD 10-FOOT.
BACK WHEN WE WERE ARGUING OVER 10-FOOT VERSUS 75-FOOT BOOK.
BUT THAT SHIP IS ALREADY SAILED. WE ARE JUST ADDING MORE TO BE ADDING MORE. IF YOU'RE WALKING DOWN THE STREET LOOKING UP YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO TELL IF THERE IS A 2-FOOT DIFFERENCE OR NOT.
RIGHT NOW YOU ARE WALKING DOWN THE TUNNEL OF DOOM WHEN YOU'RE GOING DOWN THE STREET LOOKING STRAIGHT UP.
THERE IS NOT ANY REAL ARCHITECTURAL ADVANTAGE OF HAVING A 6-FOOT PARAPET VERSUS A 4-FOOT PARAPET WHEN YOU ARE HAVING TO LOOK STRAIGHT UP JUST TO SEE.
YOU CAN'T ANY DON'T YOU CAN'T GET ANY CELL SIGNAL OR ANYTHING.
THE REASON I'M ADAMANT ABOUT THIS IS BECAUSE MY CONSTITUENTS ARE ADAMANT ABOUT THIS. THEY WENT THROUGH YEARS OF FIGHTING THE PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL JUST TO SEE THINGS INCH UP, INCH UP, DESPITE WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTED TO DO.
ANTLE TO ME IT'S A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
>> SPEAKER: ANY OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS?
ANYTHING ELSE? >> SPEAKER: THE DOWNTOWN COMMITTEE WAS IN FAVOR OF THE FOUR TO 6 FEET?
>> SPEAKER: YES, SIR. >> SPEAKER: MS. SOLOMON?
>> SPEAKER: YES. SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY OPPOSITION.
>> SPEAKER: DID SHE EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR IT ARE OR DOES NOT
SAY ANYTHING? >> SPEAKER: I DON'T KNOW
THAT -- >> SPEAKER: LET'S NOT ASSUME EVERYBODY SUPPORTS EVERYTHING IN HERE JUST BECAUSE THERE WAS A COMET -- WASN'T A COMMENT MADE IN PUBLIC.
>> SPEAKER: I'M NOT ASSUMING ANYTHING.
I JUST ASKED. >> SPEAKER: I WAS TALKING TO
THE ANSWER. >> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE ON THE
COUNSEL? >> SPEAKER: MEGAN, WHEN THE HEIGHT WAS RAISED TO 75 FEET IN THE COLLEGE EDGE OVERLAY, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THE HEIGHT HAD BEEN RAISED IN DOWNTOWN? WHEN MS. DEMPSEY STUDY GROUP WORKED IT WENT FROM 60 TO 66, I
BELIEVE. >> SPEAKER: YOU HAD ASPECTS OF THAT AND THAT IT WENT TO 75 FEET AND THEN IT CAME DOWN TO 65 FEET JUST THE EDGE AND THAT IT WENT BACK TO 75 FEET.
AND THEN YEARS BEFORE WENT MAGNOLIA PLAZA WAS BUILT AND OTHER THINGS YOU HAD TALLER THAN THAT WAS ALLOWED.
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ITERATIONS IN DOWNTOWN.
BUT AGAIN, THE PARAPET IS TREATED DIFFERENTLY.
IT'S NOT HERE TO SPLIT HAIRS. JUST TO MAKE SURE IT'S -- THE PARAPET DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE BUILDING HEIGHTS.
IT DOES ADD ADDITIONAL ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS THAT ARE TALLER THAN 75 FEET, ABSOLUTELY. BUT IT IS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF
THE STRUCTURE HEIGHT DEFINITION. >> SPEAKER: ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS? >> SPEAKER: I HAVE ONE QUESTION. DO YOU KNOW HOW TALL OR HOW HIGH THE NEW CULINARY CENTERS GOING TO BE?
>> SPEAKER: WELL OVER 100 FEET. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE ABSOLUTE NUMBER. IT IS WELL OVER A HUNDRED FEET.
IT'S A HUNDRED AND TEN OR HUNDRED AND 20.
I CAN'T RECALL EXACTLY. >> SPEAKER: I UNDERSTAND MR. GRISWOLD MOTION AND I RESPECT HIM FOR IT.
I REALLY DO. BUT TO ME IT'S NOT RIGHT WHEN A PRIVATE CITIZEN CAN'T BUILD OVER 75 FEET BUT YOU CAN MOVE HUNDRED FEET AND NOTHING SAID. EVERYONE IS FINE WITH THAT.
BUT IF A PRIVATE CITIZEN WANT TO DO THAT WE WANT TO JUMP ALL OVER
[01:00:02]
THEM. BUT THEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE CITY COUNCIL THEY CAN. I DID WHAT WAS RIGHT AND WHAT WAS RIGHT FOR THE CITY OF AUBURN AND I HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT IN IT. NOT EVERYBODY WAS AGAINST THAT.THAT I GET SOME FLACK FOR THAT? YES.
WHEN YOU MAKE A DECISION YOU WILL ALWAYS GET SOME FLACK.
IF YOU CAN'T TELL A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND THEN TURN AROUND AND HAVE A UNIVERSITY DO IT, IT'S JUST LOVELY I DON'T MEAN TO GET IRRITATED BUT IT STICKS IN MY CROCK.
GOVERNMENT CAN DO IT BY THE PRIVATE CITIZEN CAN'T DO IT.
>> SPEAKER: I THINK WE ARE OPENING UP A VERY LARGE CONVERSATION WITH WHAT CITIZENS CAN AND CANNOT DO IN THE CIVILIZED TOWN. I THINK WITH REGARDS TO COUNCILMAN GRISWOLD REPRESENTATION OF HIS CONSTITUENTS, I FEEL LIKE IN EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE.
I'M NOT HAVING A LOT OF CITIZENS COME TO ME AND SAY, DOWNTOWN IS ROCKING. WE LOVE IT.
WE LOVE THE LOOK OF IT. I DON'T HEAR THAT.
I DON'T. AND MY JOB IS ALSO TO REPRESENT CITIZENS. WITHOUT QUESTION AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF WARD SIX, I AM VERY CONFIDENT TO SAY, CITIZENS COME TO ME AND ARE VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE LOOK OF GLEN AND OF DOWNTOWN. WHAT ARE WE TO DO?
>> SPEAKER: THE GREAT THING IS I BELIEVE SOME OF THESE DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GOING TO PROVIDE US BETTER PROJECTS DOWNTOWN. THEY WILL LOOK BETTER, THEY WILL FIT BETTER WITH THE STREET. THEY WILL HAVE BETTER INFERENCES. I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE I BELIEVE THEY WILL BE BETTER LOOKING BUILDINGS.
SO THE OVERALL WORK OF THIS COMMITTEE AND THIS COMMISSION AND THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE DOWNTOWN RESIGN -- DESIGN REVIEW TEAM IS TO BE COMMENDED.
I THINK THEY WILL DELIVER A BETTER PROJECT -- PRODUCT FOR THE CITIZENS OF AUBURN. THE REALITIES, WE HAVE THREE OR FOUR PROJECTS THAT ARE THERE THAT WE'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE WITH. BUT I BELIEVE THE HOLISTIC PART OF WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IS GOING TO BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY FOR
GENERATIONS TO COME. >> SPEAKER: MR. MAYOR, I AGREE WITH YOU 100 PERCENT. I RECOGNIZE THE WORK THAT WENT INTO THIS. I'VE OFFERED ONE AMENDMENT, ONE MINOR PART. BUT OTHER THAN THAT I'M PERFECTLY HAPPY WITH THE REST OF THIS DOCUMENT.
THIS IS NOTHING ABOUT THE COMMISSION OR THE WORK THAT WAS DONE OR THE CITIZEN INPUT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
I'M VERY COMFORTABLE, MENTOR OF THE WORK THAT WENT INTO THIS.
THIS IS JUST ONE AMENDMENT. IF YOU WANT TO CONSIDER IT FINE,
IF NOT, WE WILL MOVE ON. >> SPEAKER: MS. GRISWOLD, IT IS ONE SPECIFIC ASPECT OF A TOTAL PACKAGE, WHICH HAS BEEN A POINT OF CONTENTION IN THIS TOWN, IS THE HEIGHT OF THE BUILDINGS.
IT IS NOT AS THOUGH YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO PULL APART THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT, IT'S A POINT OF CONTENTION OF MANY PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN ABOUT HI HI OUR BUILDINGS ARE IN THE DOWNTOWN.
AND THE PARAPET BEING AN ADDITIONAL HEIGHT ASPECT TO THE BUILDING WILL RESULT, I BELIEVE, IN PEOPLE CALLING ME AND VOICING
THEIR DISPLEASURE. >> SPEAKER: YEAH.
AS MR. GRISWOLD SAID, NOBODY WILL BE ABLE TO NOTICE WHETHER IT IS 4-FOOT OR 6-FOOT. WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS TOWN, BUT OUR NUMBERS SAY OTHERWISE.
PEOPLE ARE BEGGING TO LIVE IN THIS TOWN.
BEGGING TO PUT THEIR KIDS IN THE SCHOOL.
WE HAVE A FANTASTIC CITY STAFF THAT BUS TO THEIR HOMES TO MAKE THE CITY WONDERFUL. THIS IS A FANTASTIC CITY TO LIVE IN. IT IS A SHINING CITY ON A HILL THAT PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE IN. THEY WANT TO LIVE IN AUBURN.
I KNOW IT IS CLEVER AND CUTE AND FUNNY TO DOG THE HOME TEAM BUT THIS IS A FANTASTIC PLACE TO LIVE, WORK WORK AND RAISE YOUR CHILDREN. I'M VERY THANKFUL.
AND AS MS. GRISWOLD SAID, 4-FOOT, 6-FOOT, NOBODY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE, BUT THE IDEA THAT WE ARE JUST GOING TO -- PEOPLE WILL COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN.
I HEAR THE OPPOSITE. I HEAR FROM PEOPLE THAT WANT TO LIVE HERE, THEY LOVE LIVING HERE.
THEY LOVE THE PUBLIC SAFETY. THE FOLKS THAT TAKE CARE OF US.
THEY LOVE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. THEY LOVE SHOPPING DOWNTOWN.
THEY LOVE THE CITY. AND US LIKE WE GET INTO THIS MINDFRAME OF DOGGING IT AND DOGGING IT.
AND THAT'S NOT THE TOWN I KNOW. IT'S NOT THE PLACE I CHOOSE TO LIVE AND IS NOT THE PLACE I HAVE THE HONOR OF REPRESENTING THE CITIZENS IN. THIS IS A FANTASTIC CITY.
AS MR. GRISWOLD SAID, I AGREE WITH IT.
I DON'T THINK PEOPLE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.
>> SPEAKER: I DON'T THINK EVERYBODY IS DOGGING OUR TOWN.
THIS ONE COMPONENT THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHICH IS HEIGHT.
I LOVE MY TOWN. I HAVE BEEN HERE 20 YEARS.
I LOVE IT. I RAISE MY CHILDREN HERE.
ALL MY KIDS HAVE GONE THROUGH THE CITY SCHOOLS.
[01:05:06]
FANTASTIC. FANTASTIC CITY SERVICES.WONDERFUL POLICE FORCE. WONDERFUL FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AN ASPECT OF REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY WHO LOVE THIS TOWN ON THE HOLE BUT HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH THE HEIGHT OF THE BUILDINGS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
I WOULD RATHER STAY MORE FOCUSED ON THE TASK AT HAND THAN THE LARGER ISSUE THAT I DON'T THINK IS AN ISSUE HERE.
WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT THE HEIGHT OF A PARAPET.
>> SPEAKER: MR. GRISWOLD HAS OFFERED AN AMENDMENT.
WE HAD DISCUSSION. AT THIS POINT IN TIME DO WE HAVO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT. CORRECT, MEGAN?
>> SPEAKER: THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT.
>> SPEAKER: >> SPEAKER: IF YOU VOTE FOR YOU ARE IN FAVOR, IF YOU VOTE AGAINST WERE NOT IN FAVOR.
>> SPEAKER: TO WE NEED TO DO THIS WITH ROLL CALL?
>> SPEAKER: YOU DO NOT. >> SPEAKER: SO DO WE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE? WE HAVE A MOTION.
>> SPEAKER: HE ALREADY MADE A MOTION.
>> SPEAKER: THE MOTION IS ON THE TABLE.
>> SPEAKER: JUST THE AMENDMENT. >> SPEAKER: SO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT. SO ALL IN FAVORITE OF APPROVE THIS AMENDMENT, PLEASE SAY I I. (VOICE VOTE)
[10. RESOLUTIONS. ]
[01:10:28]
>> SPEAKER: WHEN I MADE MENTION TO MY SISTER-IN-LAW THAT THIS WAS A POSSIBILITY, SHE SPENT MANY YEARS IN HOUSTON.
SHE ABOUT DID A DANCE ON THE FLOOR WHEN I TOLD HER.
>> SPEAKER: THAT'S GREAT. >> SPEAKER: I WOULD LIKE TO SAY WELCOME TO AUBURN. WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE YOU PICK WE THINK YOU WILL BE A GOOD CITIZEN OF AUBURN AND WE APPRECIATE IT.
ONE THING I CAN DEFINITELY SAY THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY IS IN FAVOR OF BUC EE'S. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BAD OR
NEGATIVE IT. >> SPEAKER: WE ARE GLAD TO BE
YOUR NEIGHBOR. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.
>> SPEAKER: AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT THE NORTHWEST SIDE IS ABSOLUTELY -- EVERYBODY IS SO GLAD.
I THINK IT IS ABOUT JOBS. PEOPLE NEED JOBS.
YOU ARE OFFERING 175 NEW JOBS. NOT JUST JOBS BUT THE SALARY.
SO I SORT OF WANT I WAS TOLD I PUT IT OUT THERE AND I GOT A LOOK -- A LOT OF COMMENTS ABOUT THAT AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHEN
THE APPLICATION PROCESS STARTS. >> SPEAKER: WE ARE PROUD OF THE JOBS WE BRING, THE FOLKS WHO WORK FOR US, THEY ARE BUC EE'S.
THAT'S WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL. IT WILL BE A MINIMUM 175, I WOULD ASSUME NORTH OF THAT. OUR MINIMUM WAYS IS $15 AN HOUR.
SO WALKING IN, HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE OR NOT, IF YOU ARE
FRIENDLY AND SAY HOWDY,. >> SPEAKER: HOWDY!
(LAUGHTER) >> SPEAKER: TO ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF BUC EE'S AND ALL THAT, WE ARE COMING. WE USUALLY START THE HIRING PROCESS AROUND SIX MONTHS TO NINE MONTHS BEFORE WE KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE OPENING. AS FAR AS OPEN GOES, WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS THE REQUISITE PERMITTING AND ALL OF THAT STUFF I UNDERSTAND THAT AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS HOPEFULLY GETS RECORDED FOR MY BOSS. I BELIEVE IN NOVEMBER OF 2022 YOU ALL WILL BE HOSTING THE A&M AGGIES AND MY TWO FAVORITE TEAMS ARE THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AND ANYONE PLAYING TEXAS AND AM.
SO HOPE TO BE OPEN FOR THAT FALL OF 2022.
SO AS THE WORLD TURNS, THAT HAPPENS PRETTY FAST.
WE ARE EXCITED. >> SPEAKER: WE APPRECIATE YOUR INVESTMENT IN AUBURN BUT YOU ARE ALSO -- THE COMPANY IS WILLING TO BE A GREAT CORPORATE CHARITABLE CITIZEN OF OUR COMMUNITY TOO. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
THAT EVIDENTLY JUST PART OF THE CULTURE OF THE COMPANY.
>> SPEAKER: YES OR. >> SPEAKER: I HAVE A QUESTION.
SO YOU WORK AT BUC EE'S. YOU HAVE MIGHTY FRIENDLY LOOKING
FACE. >> SPEAKER: THAT'S WHY THEY SEND ME OUT HERE. (LAUGHTER)
>> SPEAKER: I JUST WANTED TO SAY WELCOME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVESTMENT. I THINK IT WILL BE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP. I KNOW PEOPLE ARE EXCITED.
THIRTY-ONE DIFFERENT FLAVORS OF ICS.
ALL OF THE BEEF JERKY. AND REALLY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN TO OTHER BUC EE'S THEY MENTION THE CLEANLINESS, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE, ALL OF THAT I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT PARTNERSHIP.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND WE ARE VERY PROUD THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN
TO BE HERE. >> SPEAKER: GREAT.
I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. THERE ARE PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT THIS. ONE QUESTION I DID COME UP THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME UP TO ME ABOUT WAS ARE THEY GOING TO BE ELECTRIC CHARGING STATIONS? YES THERE ARE.
>> SPEAKER: I THINK THAT'S GREAT.
>> SPEAKER: AND I'M SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT SO FORCEFULLY. A WEEK AGO WE WOULD NOT OF BEEN ABLE TO. JUST SO YOU KNOW, THE BUSINESS OF ELECTRIC CHARGING IS DIFFICULT TO PIN DOWN.
WE WANT, AS OUR WHOLE COMPANY IS FOCUSED ON, WE WANT TO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS. JUST US SAYING WE ARE GOING TO THROW OUT A COUPLE OF CHARGING STATIONS DOESN'T MEAN MUCH.
[01:15:01]
WE HOPEFULLY OVER THE NEXT WEEKS TO MONTHS WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT WE ARE JUMPING INTO THE GAME.WE UNDERSTAND IT'S COMING. LATER THAN SOONER, BUT IT IS COMING. WE JUST WANT YOU TO COME IN AND EAT OUR BEEF JERKY. YOU CAN CHARGE HER CAR, FILL IT
UP, WHATEVER. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE
TONIGHT. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. >> SPEAKER: THE PUBLIC HEARING IS STILL OPEN. DOES ANYBODY LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL? PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
SEE NONE WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
I WILL RETRACT THAT PUBLIC HEARING.
MY BED. >> SPEAKER: THAT'S OKAY.
I'M PROBABLY JUST SITTING BACK THERE BY THE WALL AND YOU DIDN'T SEE ME. I'M CAN PILOT FOR THE RECORD.
I'M CAN. I RESIDE IN BENTON SMITS WARD HOWEVER I GREW UP IN TOMMY DAWSON'S WARD WHICH IS ABOUT MAYBE RIGHT UP THE ROAD. AS A CHILD RELEASED SOME PROPERTY AND THEY KNEW JOE PAINTER AND I WAS ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD HE GAVE ME A KITE. BUT I DIGRESS.
THE POINT THAT I JUST WANT TO MAKE CLEAR IS I'M SURE THERE WILL BE SOME PEOPLE THAT MIGHT COMPLAIN PERHAPS ABOUT THIS AND WHETHER IT BE HEIGHT ON BUILDINGS OR SIDEWALKS OR BIKE PATHS OR DUPLEXES. CHANGE IS SOMETIMES VERY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH. EVERYBODY HAS A DIFFERENT TOLERANCE LEVEL. THAT I FEEL LIKE IT'S EXCITING.
I CAME BECAUSE I FELT LIKE THERE WERE GOING TO BE PEOPLE HERE THAT MAY NOT BE SO RECEPTIVE. I AM SO PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AND THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL TO EVERYBODY HERE THAT UNDERSTANDS HOW BIG OF A DEAL THIS IS. THIS IS 175 JOBS MINIMUM PAY IS $15 AN HOUR. WE SHOULD BE A CITY IN WHICH IT ENCOURAGES, AND PERHAPS A BETTER WORD IS A COMMUNITY.
NOT JUST CITY OFFICIALS, NOT JUST YOU PEOPLE SITTING AT AN ELEVATED HEIGHT ABOVE ALL OF US. BUT EVERYBODY HERE IN THAT ZIP CODE OF 36 -- 36832. AND THE GREATER COUNTY.
IT'S A BIG DEAL AND WE NEED TO WELCOME POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE SAME ENTHUSIASM THAT WE HAVE RESISTED IT IN THE PAST.
WE ALL KNOW WE HAD SOME PREDECESSORS THAT PUSHED SOME DEVELOPMENT AWAY AND PUSHED TAX DOLLARS AND REVENUE AWAY, AND IT HURT PROPERTY VALUES. IT HURT JOBS.
IT HURT REVENUES. LET'S CHANGE THAT, SHALL WE? THIS IS A GREAT THING. NOT THAT MY OPINION MATTERS OR IS WORTH ANYTHING. IT'S NOT WORTH ANY MORE OR ANY LESS THAN ANYBODY'S. AS A PERSON THAT HAS BEEN OUT THERE FOR 35 -- GOING ON 35 YEARS AND PLAYED AT EVERY CREEK DOWN THERE, AND THE DAWSON'S DID TO -- WE WELCOME YOU.
OR AT LEAST I DO. I WELCOME YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOU MAKING MY PROPERTY TAXES GO UP.
SO THANK YOU, MISTER BEARD. YOU GUYS GOT THAT ON RECORD? GOOD. TOMMY, THANKS.
THE BIKE LANES, MACON, THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO RELATE THIS IN QUICKLY BUT I APPRECIATE YOU ALL LOOKING INTO THAT. I AM ONE OF THOSE CONCERNED CITIZENS. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING BIKE LANES ON AN INTERSTATE EXIT ROAD.
THAT'S VERY CONCERNING. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THAT UP AND BRINGING THAT UP. THANKS FOR LISTENING.
>> SPEAKER: APPRECIATE IT. >> SPEAKER: CAN WE GET YOUR
ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD? >> SPEAKER: I GREW UP AT 2010 COX ROAD. BUT I LIVE AT 1400 ANNALY RIDGE TRAIL, FORMERLY AND IT WILL DRIVE.
>> SPEAKER: NO PROBLEM. >> SPEAKER: PUBLIC HEARING IS STILL OPEN. ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO ADDRESS TO THE COUNCIL? PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
ANYONE ELSE? I WILL CLOSE THE VOTE.
>> SPEAKER: MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SPEAKER: SECOND.
>> SPEAKER: ANY FURTHER COUNSEL DISCUSSIONS?
>> SPEAKER: I WANT TO BRING UP ANOTHER SUBJECT.
WHEN WE WERE MEETING ON THIS. I WOULD LIKE FOR HIM OR SOMEONE TO TALK ABOUT. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS, AND THIS
[01:20:05]
IS NOT A NEGATIVE, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WAS ASKED TO ME WAS, IS IT A JOKE SPOT? I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE AND HE EXPLAINED THAT REALLY WELL. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT A LITTLE BIT SO THAT THE PUBLIC KNOWS?>> SPEAKER: WE WILL ASK YOU TO COME BACK.
>> SPEAKER: THE ANSWER IS NO. WE ARE NOT A TRUCK STOP.
WE ACTIVELY PROHIBIT TRACTOR-TRAILERS FROM THE SITE.
IF THERE IS ONE SECTION OF THE WORLD WHO DOESN'T LIKE BUC EE'S, IT'S TRUCK DRIVERS. IT'S BECAUSE OUR BUSINESS MODELS DON'T JIBE. THERE ARE NO TRUCKS, JUST OUR FUEL TRUCKS ARE THE ONLY 18 WHEELERS THAT COME IN AND OUT OF
THERE. >> SPEAKER: I THINK THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE THE ONLY COMPLAINT OR DOWNFALL.
IF ANYBODY DID HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT IT.
SO I JUST WANTED TO THAT TO BE FOR THE RECORD.
THOSE OUT THERE I HOPE THEY HEARD THAT.
>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: MEGAN, DO WE DO
THIS WITH A ROLL CALL. >> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND
AND THAT ANOTHER ROLL CALL VOTE. >> SPEAKER: WE WILL GO WITH THE ROLL CALL. (ROLL CALL VOTE)
>> SPEAKER: MOVING FORWARD WE HAVE TWO ADDITIONAL ITEMS UNDER RESOLUTIONS. THEY ARE CONDITIONAL USES THAT TRACK WITH OTHER ITEMS THAT WERE POSTPONED EARLIER.
I'M STILL GOING TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND THOSE ITEMS DO NEED TO BE POSTPONED JUST PROCEDURALLY AND WE WANT TO BE CLEAR TO EVERYBODY WHAT HAPPENED FOR THE RECORD.
ITEM TEN BE WHAT IS A REQUEST FROM GONZALEZ-STRENGTH & ASSOCIATES ON BEHALF OF HUBERT BOATWRIGHT AND HARRY AND ALISON PAINTER FOR CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL OF A ROAD SERVICE USE GAS STATION WITH CONVENIENCE STORE AND CAR WASH ALSO KNOWN AS BUC EE'S FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF COX ROAD AND INTERSTATE 85 IN THE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT. THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST AT ITS APRIL 8, 2020, WHEN MEETING. THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING A POSTPONEMENT OF THIS TO THE JUNL MEETING.
A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED. >> SPEAKER: I MOVE MOVED TO POSTPONED UNTIL THE JUNE 1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
>> SPEAKER: SECOND. >> SPEAKER: WE HAVE A AND SECOND. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL? WE WILL TAKE.
>> SPEAKER: YOU DON'T NEED A ROLL CALL.
>> SPEAKER: ALL IN FAVOR OF POSTPONING PLEASE SAY I.
THE MOTION CARRIES. >> SPEAKER: ITEM TEN B2 IS A ON BEHALF OF HARRY AND ALISON PAINTER FOR CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL OF AN AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT USED TRACTOR SUPPLY AND SALES AND REPAIR FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF COX ROAD AND INTERSTATE 85 IN THE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT. THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST AT ITS APRIL 8, 2021, MEETING. THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING POSTPONEMENT OF THIS TO THE JUNL MEETING.
A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED. >> SPEAKER: I MOVED TO POSTPONED UNTIL THE JUNE 1, 2021, OFFERED TO THE COUNCIL
>> SPEAKER: A MOTION AND SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION OF QUESTIONS FOR COUNSEL? HEARING NONE ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY I I.
(VOICE VOTE). >> SPEAKER: MAYOR THOSE ARE ALL
OF THE ITEMS OF BUSINESS WE HAVE >> SPEAKER: AT THIS TIME WE WILL OPEN UP THE CITIZENS OPEN FORM.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND REMEMBER, THAT YOU ARE TALKING TO THE CITY COUNCIL YOU ARE NOT TALKING TO STAFF MEMBERS AND PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR TONE IS CIVIL.
BUT YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME TO THE PODIUM AT THIS TIME.
SEEING NO ONE WE WILL CLOSE THE CITIZENS OPEN FORM.
IS THERE A MOVE TO ADJOURN? >> SPEAKER: SO MOVE.
>> SPEAKER: WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.