2003-35 GRANTING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - 239-247 WEST PRAIRIE AVENUE

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. . Catholic Charities June 5, 2003 Page Two PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1. The petitioner originally requested that the property be rezoned to B-1 Neighborhood Shopping District. The Plan Commission reviewed the petition on Apri13, 2003 with a recommendation to approve the request with the Chairman stating his preference for a conditional use permit. The City Council reviewed the request on May 5; after some discussion the item was tabled until the petitioner could come back with a conditional use permit. The petitioner is now requesting to rezone the O-1 Office District property to Historic Neighborhood Conditional Use in order to operate the used clothing retail facility I and the food bank. I 2. The petitioner plans to patch the roof, repair and paint the windows,paint the doors and replace the side entrance double doors with a single door and sidelight for accessibility. The replacement door and sidelight is proposed to be wood with true divided lights to match the existing style of door. The exterior of the building will remain unchanged. STAFF ANALYSIS 1. The subject property is located between the Downtown Business District and the locally designated West End Historic District, within the boundaries of the Decatur National Register Historic District. Most of the properties in this area are zoned O-1 Office District; the area serves as a buffer between the Downtown Business District and the Residential District to the west. Several residential properties are located within the block as well as office uses. 2. Properties on the east side of North Church Street are zoned B-4 Central Business District and on the west side of the street properties are zoned B-2 Commercial District. Currently, there are few if any commercial/retail uses on North Church Street. The properties on the north side of West Main Street behind Catholic Charities are zoned O-1, however, most properties are nonconforming commercial uses that have been located in this area for some time. Properties on the south side of West Main Street are zoned B-2 Commercial District (Salvation Army, West Main Liquor and St. Paul Church.) 3. A Historic Neighborhood Use is allowed for properties within a historic district when the historical and architectural character of the building is preserved as well as the historic and architectural chazacter of the surrounding neighborhood. Catholic Charities does not plan to change the exterior character of the building. Staff is uncertain that the retail use can preserve the historic and architectural character of the surrounding neighborhood. 4. The Historical and Architectural Sites Commission(HASC) reviewed the request at the May 21, 2003 meeting. HASC recommended approval of the petition for Historic Neighborhood Use with the conditions recommended by staff. Minutes are attached. STAFF RECOMMENDATION 1. Staff is concerned regarding the appropriateness and potential impact of retail uses on the surrounding neighborhood. At the direction of the City Council, staff recommends approval of the petition subject to the following conditions: