99-10 GRANTING SPECIAL PERMIT PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT - MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY

Home Browse Search

Analysis. These are reasonable amendments to the R-6 category. Notwithstanding the applicant's representation that this project will not result in increased traffic, the impact of this public facility on parking cannot be easily determined at this stage. If parking demand continues to increase in the area, and if Millikin's forthcoming 197-car parking lot, in addition to the 200-car lot on Wood Street, proves inadequate to that demand, the University and the Park District may need to provide additional parking at some time in the future. This can best be addressed through a cooperative effort between the City and the University, resulting in a memorandum of understanding charting the long-range growth of the University campus, forecasting the future '� needs for parking and other infrastructure. ' At the Plan Commission, staff recommended that the approval of this PUD be granted only upon �I the condition that Millikin stipulate that, in the event that parking to serve this facility is found to be inadequate by the City, the University will proceed to eliminate the condition within six months of the determination. Staff has since discussed this matter with Millikin officials, who have agreed to provide us with parking data and projections relating to this project and to future development needs for the University and its neighbors. Recommendation. In light of the demonstration of good faith on the part of the University, staff recommends approval. As a long-term solution, a University Expansion District, similar to the district which we are now developing in cooperation with Decatur Memorial Hospital, could be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan. This is certainly a useful project and one which will provide a benefit to the students, faculty, and staff at Millikin University and to the community at large.