2012-18 CREATING A LAKEFRONT OVERLAY DISTRICT

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Excerpts from Plan Commission Minutes of April 5,2012 continued: Mr. Weykamp stated that neither the Park District nor City has any intent to be the lead developer. This project is creating an opportunity for a public/private partnership or a private developer would respond to a Request for Proposal. Mr. Dial asked if the developer would lease the property. Mr. Weykamp stated this was correct. There is no proposed land sale of any kind. Chairman John Mickler stated the eight (8) story buildings seem high in relation to the residential makeup of the area. Mr. Weykamp said the western portion of Area 4, which is close to the residential area, is where the three (3) story limit is imposed. The taller structures are closer to the lake edge. Mr. Weykamp stated Area 3 is where the indoor water park/hotel is proposed and might possibly be between five (5) and eight (8) stories. The Lakefront Overlay District will give the developers flexibility in their proposals. Improving the lakefront is the fundamental goal. Mr. Phil Cochran, representative, was sworn in by Mrs. Poland. Mr. Cochran stated the Park District petition is to establish the Lakefront Overlay District. The property is over 171 acres in size and consists of Nelson Park, Chandler Park and the adjacent lakefront. The master plan is a document that has been seen by the City Council and the public. There have been public meetings, newspaper stories, radio shows, group interviews with over 150 participants, and meetings with the boat clubs. There is also a website and it is on Facebook. This plan is now ready for the implementation stage. The Lakefront Overlay District areas will have different uses which are spelled out. This becomes the document by which all development will take place. It is important that the Lakefront Overlay District be adopted. This is economic development for the City. Mr. Gregory Mench, 1933 Shore Oak Drive, was sworn in by Mrs. Poland. Mr. Mench stated he had attended many of the public meetings and he felt that many people were not in favor of this type of development. He feels that each project should have to be approved separately not as a whole. This is not fair to the people of the City. Mr. Tony Clark, 1857 East Lawrence Street, was sworn in by Mrs. Poland. Mr. Clark stated he is not in favor of the development. He said that Nelson Park is 100 years old this year. It was bought by the City of Decatur for the purpose of establishing recreation in a free park area for the citizens of Decatur. Mr. Clark said when the golf course was closed the Park District said it would remain a green space. Mr. Clark said he has attended all of the public meetings and the majority of the people are against building housing in Nelson and Chandler Parks. Mr. Clark feels the Park District is trying to limit access to the parks. The citizens of Decatur pay taxes to the Park District to have use of the parks. Mr. Clark would like to see Cal. No. 12-09 and 12-10 denied by the Plan Commission. Mr. William Nelson, 2364 Powers Boulevard, was sworn in by Mrs. Poland. Mr. Nelson stated to destroy the parks with asphalt and concrete is a travesty to the land and the public which owns it. Mr. Nelson said that once condos and hotels are built on this land the public can no longer use this land. Mr. Nelson would like the Plan Commission to table this item until a public referendum could be held. Mr. John Sanner, 1011 Cedar Hill Drive, was sworn in by Mrs. Poland. Mr. Sanner said an Overlay District is not appropriate for the parks. Mr. Sanner stated there is no protection for public park use and if this item is to go forward there needs to be some type of control. Mr. Gayland Clark, 33 North Country Club Road, was sworn in by Mrs. Poland. Mr. Clark said the people of Decatur are not in favor of residential housing in Nelson or Chandler Parks. This should be put to the citizens of Decatur for a vote. Tax dollars should not be spent this way. Mr. Clark said his biggest concern is what the condos will do to the housing and property values in Decatur.