Chapter 32.20
SECOND OPEN HOUSE

Sections:

32.20.010    Preferencing boards.

32.20.020    Additional public comment.

32.20.010 Preferencing boards.

During the second open house, the attending public was asked to place preferencing dots on those images which were preferred (green) and not preferred (red). These preferencing boards will help further guide the direction of one preferred alternative of districts to North Avenue.

(a)    Alternative one appeared to have greater preference of student housing, retail and entertainment district, as well as the senior housing and grocer. Districts not preferred in this alternative were the greater regional retail, big box and light industrial concepts.

(b)    Alternative two obtained greater preference for the more residential neighborhood and apartments rather than the larger big box and higher density apartments.

(c)    Alternative three again reiterates the desire from the public to have more neighborhood scale apartments rather than the larger scale apartment buildings. Again the desire for a retail and civic component that speaks to a neighborhood scale instead of a large retail component that is more regional in nature was evident.

Based on this information obtained, a preferred district alternative plan was created to further guide the appropriate revitalization on the North Avenue Corridor. This preferred alternative is presented in the summary and recommendations portion of this report (Chapter 32.24 GJMC).

(Res. 174-07 (Exh. A), 12-3-07)

32.20.020 Additional public comment.

Public comment received during the open house was consistent with that heard at the first open house. Additional comments received included: the need and desire for more high quality restaurants, the need for quality senior housing in proximity to grocery amenities, improved streetscape and pedestrian realm. Additionally the proposed student housing and entertainment district was well received along with greater mixed use development that would promote a neighborhood and community district where amenities and services are in proximity to housing.

Public comments regarding the realization of improvements and redevelopment to North Avenue spoke of the need for the City to actively be involved in land assembly and incentives to propel any development. Incentives such as corridor-wide enterprise zone, tax rebates and mixed use zoning, were voiced. The investigation of current disincentives that prohibit residential on commercial properties was also noted.

(Res. 174-07 (Exh. A), 12-3-07)