AgdaPkt 2003-03-24 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

A -18 Commissioner Paulson asked why the "P" zone isn't spot zoning. Mr. Alsman responded that the "P" zone is not spot zoning because it will be a part of the Zoning Ordinance. Also Mr. Passanisi said that it is not spot zoning because the "P" Zone is consistent with the current policies and goals of the City. Mr. Alsman said that this Precise Plan could be applied anywhere within Downtown. He also said that it narrows down the kinds of uses. Commissioner Puille stated that normally precise plans have been initiated by the developer. How does the City go about doing precise planning on a parcel that has nothing on it? The City picks an area and says this is what we envision for the parcel? Chairman Foust said that the City's Downtown Area Plan and the hiring of the advance planner will put more focus on the strategic planning. Commissioner McCoy said that he still feels the "P" zone is wrapped around the project. He said that he is not comfortable with the "P" zone context. Mr. Alsman said that when he worked in Mountain View he saw a lot of these types of projects. A developer will come in and say that they have an idea to do something, but they have no mechanism to do it. They are working on a concept of a Precise Plan so maybe that approach might work. He said that Mountain View is a great example of a Precise Plans that work and they were initiated by the community. Chairman Foust said that we are going to have to get beyond the perception of spot zoning. She said that staff needs to have a better handle on the advance planning side and what is projected. Commissioner Radcliffe said that she is not as uncomfortable with this project as the rest of the Commissioners because she was involved in the Downtown Area Plan Task Force. She said that after the Commissioners get the Downtown Area Plan they will be much more comfortable with the project because the Plan calls for a lot of housing in the Downtown. She feels this project really fits in with what the Downtown Area Plan is suggesting. Chairman Foust said that the study session on the Downtown Area Plan is scheduled for December 17th. Commissioner Seybert said that the ideas for advance planning do not have to come just from the Planning Commission. The ideas can come from anyone. He feels that the project is a great idea that came from somebody else. Some of the forward thinking people in the community may be developers. Commissioner Garcia said he does not have a problem with the project. He feels that this is where the City needs to go. It is not spot zoning and the rest of the street may go in this direction.