2012-18 CREATING A LAKEFRONT OVERLAY DISTRICT

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Excerpts from Plan Commission Minutes of April 5,2012 continued: Mr. Rick Dial was sworn in by Mrs. Poland. Mr. Dial feels the Park District is trying to privatize this public property and does not feel this should be allowed. Chairman Mickler asked how much green space is going to be left after the development and if there is a market for additional housing. Mr. Cochran stated the housing issue will be decided by the private sector. The Request for Proposal will be put out to the developers and they will respond as the market will provide that information. Mr. Cochran said as far as the green space, there is 171 acres for the entire site. As of right now, there is a dog park and disc golf which will remain in place. Together they are approximately forty (40) acres of green space. The master plan has a great lawn area which is planned for right below the existing large pavilion. Mr. Cochran said he did not have a specific number of acres that will remain green space. Mr. Cochran asked Mr. Weykamp if he knew the number of acres. Mr. Weykamp stated he did not have a specific acreage for green space after development. He said Area 1, which is the largest area, will only have one (1) government structure which will leave most of the area green space. The park will not be privatized. Chandler Park has the highest impact and as of now is the most underutilized park. The population is declining and priorities need to be set on how to move forward. There is no master plan that will satisfy everyone. There is no way to keep up all the parks without transforming the revenue structure in some way. No one wants to see taxes go up or parks go away. This idea is to take underutilized areas, let rental opportunities have complete control of what happens there and maintain the public access. The public waterfront is to remain public for all time. Mr. Jack Myatt asked if the land will be leased to the developer of the condos. Mr. Weykamp said that is correct, the land will be leased for all development. Mr. Myatt asked if St. Mary's had any concerns over the height of the proposed buildings in the area. Mr. Weykamp said they met with St. Mary's and discussed the proposals with them. Their main concern was the height of the proposed buildings concerning their helipad. The Lakefront Overlay District has specific language that prevents any type of structure that would impose on the FAA restrictions of their helipad. Mr. Myatt said basically what is being approved today is ideas. None or some of this may not happen or it could be twenty (20) years before any of this could happen. Mr. Weykamp said that is correct. Mr. Steve John asked if there was anything that assures lakefront access to the public or could this essentially become a gated community. Mr. Weykamp said there is no requirement that would require the waterfront to remain open but in every meeting it has been stated that the waterfront will remain public and open. Mr. John asked if language could be put in the Lakefront Overlay District that assures public access to the lakefront. Mr. Weykamp said the goals of the plan are not to have the waterfront privatized. Ms. Suzy Stickle stated the zoning controls the use, not the access to the property. Mr. Mickler said he understands Mr. John's concern over the lakefront access. As of right now it is not a problem, but what about ten (10) years down the road. Mr. John Robinson said the lake is owned by the City which includes the lake and lakefront. Mr. John said there is not a trail that goes around the lakefront and most of the lake is not accessible by the public. Mr. Weykamp said he understands that if your feet are wet you are in the City and if your feet are dry you are in the Park District. Mr. Kent Newton said there are several private boat docks along the waterfront currently and asked if that currently restricted public access. Mr. Weykamp said it does restrict public access as there are club or individual dock license fees that allow them to use that bottom land. Mr. Billy Tyus was sworn in by Mrs. Poland.