2003-04 GRANTING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - 240 NORTH CHURCH STREET

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Decatur City Plan Commission January 2, 2003 Page Two The applicants wish to demolish the existing buildings and construct a three (3) story condominium building with dwelling units on the ground floor. Section XIV.B lists "multiple dwelling units located on the ground floor" as a Conditional Use in the B-4 District. The proposed building is three (3) stories high and includes 11 dwelling units: three (3) one-bedroom and eight (8) two-bedroom units. The main entrance is on Church Street. Two (2) elevators serve the upper floors and there is an office space on the first floor. The building includes an indoor parking garage accessed from Church Street. There are eight (8) parking � spaces in this garage. The approach to the proposed garage is south of the existing unused I approach. This will result in the removal of the three (3) on-street parking spaces in this � location. The petitioners intend to restore the curb and boulevard at the unused approach and to I relocate the three (3) displaced parking spaces to the north, resulting in no net loss of on-street parking spaces. The intent of prohibiting residential uses on the ground floor in the B-4 District is to encourage retail, office and service uses at the sidewalk level. Residential uses are encouraged above the ground floor. However, there are areas at the fringes of the B-4 District where changes in land use and shopping habits have made retail, office or service uses unlikely. The subject property is one such area. Staff strongly supports the addition of dwelling units in the downtown area. Dwelling units bring a 24 hour presence to the neighborhood and provide a market for downtown businesses. However, staff is concemed about the plain exterior design of the proposed building as shown on the architectural elevations. The petitioner was expected to present more finished elevations at the Plan Commission meeting; however, the petitioner's representative has informed staff that no ' new elevations would be provided. The petitioner's representative was present and would ex lain the etitioner's reasonin . In s ite of staff's concern about the architectural desi n t P P g P g , saff is in support of the proposed Conditional Use. Staff recommends approval of the Conditional Use Permit, subject to the condition that the project is developed according to the petitioner's site plan. Mr. Phillip Cochran of Cochran Engineering was present and represented TMS Development. Mr. Cochran stated that this is an exciting project for both the developer and the City of Decatur. There is a fairly new ordinance regarding Conditional Use requirement submittal. Petitioner was required to submit a site plan, building(floor) plans and the elevation indicating that the building exterior will be all brick. The petitioner feels the terms of the ordinance have been satisfied regarding the additional information requirements. Developers have spent a considerable sum getting to this point for Conditional Use. The building will be all brick and designed in accordance with the neighboring structures. However, the next phase requires another level of commitment by the developer which he doesn't wish to make until he has received approval from both the Plan Commission and the City Council.