2001-79 AMENDING PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT - WEST TOWNE SQUARE

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Economic & Urban Development Department Memorandum # 01-118 November 14, 2001 TO: Honorable Mayor Terry M.Howley and City Council Members FROM: Steve Ga , City Manager A.J. Krie er Assistant City Manager SUBJECT: West Towne Square Rezoning and PUD Preface RECOMMENDATION: This memorandum is being sent for informational purposes only at this time. BACKGROUND: This item was originally scheduled for City Council consideration at the October 15, 2001, regular meeting, but was withdrawn by the petitioner. The original West Towne Square PUD was approved in December 2000. The owners are requesting an amendment to the PUD by adding five lots (currently zoned R-6) and constructing two, 3-story, 12-unit apartment buildings in the northeast corner of the development. This amendment also required vacation of an existing alley,which was approved at the October 15 meeting. City staff recommends approval of the B-2 PUD, subject to the imposition of certain architectural standards to insure that the apartment buildings will complement the adjacent development/existing neighborhood; similar in character and detail to the nearby Woods apartment complex. The developer has agreed to these conditions. Much attention has been paid to the procedural violations that occurred when the developer began making improvements to the alley prior to its vacation. One of the unfortunate side effects is that the attention being paid to these procedural elements has shifted focus away from the more fundamental questions pertaining to the appropriateness of PUD and overall land use. It should be noted that by properly utilizing the PUD process, City staff and the developer have taken specific steps to improve the quality of the project as well as afford some protections to the larger neighborhood; protections/elements not required in the normal site development process. Further, some elements found to be the most objectionable by neighboring residents (specifically the sideyard setback) are actually made better through the PUD process; for example the sideyard setback of 8 feet as required by the code is actually increased in the PUD to 12 feet. City staff believes these proposed amendments represent both an appropriate land use as well as an example of proper use of the PUD process. Procedural violations aside, the resulting development is consistent with the City's O1deTowne Redevelopment Plan and will add value to the neighborhood. STAFF REFERENCE: If Council members have questions they may contact A.J. Krieger, 424-2727, �krie�e�decaturnet.org.