2012-81 REZONING PROPERTY - 1312 NORTH WATER STREET

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Excerpts from Plan Commission minutes of October 4,2012: Cal.No. 12-37 Petition of GW Plaza, LLC, to rezone property located at 1312 NORTH WATER STREET from 0-1 Office District and B-2 Commercial District to PD Planned Development District Mrs. Joselyn Stewart was sworn in by Mrs. Janet Poland. Mrs. Stewart presented the recommendation of staff: The subject site is currently undeveloped and is located at 1312 North Water Street. Previously the site was operated as a gas station and vehicle service/repair station for many years before the structure was demolished. The petitioner proposes to rezone property from 0-1 Office District and B-2 Commercial District to PD Planned Development to allow for the construction of a 12,200 square foot mixed use development. The petitioner proposes to develop a retail shopping strip at this location to include a gas station/convenience store (4,880 square feet), a coin Laundromat (2,640 square feet), sandwich shop/restaurant(1,625 square feet), and retail space (3,055 square feet). The City of Decatur Zoning Ordinance provides standards for reviewing applications for planned developments. An analysis of the review standards are as follows: a. Compatibility with the character of the surrounding neighborhood and general area. The proposed development is compatible with the character of the area to the north, west and southwest. b. Effect on area. The proposed development as a whole will have a positive effect on this inner city area with the proposed gas station/convenience store, sandwich shop, Laundromat and retail uses. However, staff is of the opinion that since this proposed retail shopping strip is in close proximity to two (2) churches, two (2) daycare facilities, a senior/disabled living facility and a living facility for adults with mental illness that alcoholic beverages should not be allowed to be sold on the premises and that the hours of operation be limited from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. c. Design and amenities. The proposed development is designed with brick fagade, many windows and architectural metal. d. Consistency with the comprehensive plan. The proposed development is generally consistent with the Comprehensive Plan as it calls for retail on the western portion of the property however it is not consistent with the plan on the eastern portion of the development as it calls for Residential-Low Density. e. Traffic capacity. The existing streets are adequate to carry the anticipated traffic of the development. A traffic impact report was prepared concluding that the site will not increase the traffic volume on either North Water Street or East Grand Avenue; The signalized intersection allows for traffic to enter and leave the site safely; There are adequate ingress/egress points on the site to serve the estimated peak hour site traffic; and the proposed site development will not adversely affect the traffic on either North Water Street or East Grand Avenue. f. Adequacy of utilities. The existing utilities are adequate to serve the development. g. Integration. The proposed development will be developed in accordance with an overall design plan approved by the City of Decatur. h. Adequacy of parking facilities. All of the parking meets the City's parking requirements and will be contained on site. Access to the property will be off of East Grand Avenue,North Water Street and East Waggoner Street. Adequate landscaping is proposed for the frontage along East Grand Avenue, North Water Street and East Waggoner Street as well as a buffer yard provided to the east of the proposed development along with a six (6) foot site break fence. Adequate landscaping is proposed for the parking lot.