Starting a new thread on the evening City Commission meeting because people I mentioned earlier were mentioned in every tweet:
J. Simmons said the change mainly affects sidewalk widths. Staff recommends approval, but the Plan Board voted unanimously to deny the petition. The Plan Board was concerned that they might want 10-foot sidewalks in the future.
Craig Frazier(?) with CHW, representing the applicant. Says SW 2nd St is the only interior street in the area with the Storefront designation. Says there won't be development on the courthouse side in the near future.
Also says that any heavy-use development on the west side would face toward SW 2nd Ave and SW 4th Ave, not toward SW 2nd St. Says it accomplishes city goals of redevelopment and infill in the core downtown area.
*Craig Brashier from CHW, not Frazier.
Hayes-Santos says the city needs that type of housing (= not aimed at students). They're talking about splitting the street's designation.
Skop points out that the Plan Board voted against this unanimously. Thinks there may be a "hybrid" solution. Recommends granting the request but mandating wider sidewalks.
Skop says trees on sidewalks look great at first, but eventually the trees and roots grow and cause problems.
Jo Beaty says two commissioners are talking to each other, but their conversation is not audible to the audience (violation of Sunshine Laws). Says commission should listen to the Plan Board.
Motion to split the zoning designation at SW 2nd Place passes, 6-1.
2nd reading of rental lighting fee roll-back.
Skop asks the same question Konish has asked twice today: If organizations have already paid the higher fees, will they be refunded?
Donald Shepherd says he also wants an answer to that question.
Bielarski says the rates weren't implemented in the first place.
Ordinance passes unanimously
2nd reading of ordinance setting no max limit for parking spots in parking structures. Passed 6-1 with Simmons in dissent.
Commission comment. Ward defends the $1 million bus, saying it's bought with a grant and they're "buying fuel from ourselves."
Ward says they often listen to advisory boards, but not always because then there would be no need for a commission.
Hayes-Santos says he doesn't support signing the school board letter because it calls out School Board staff members by name. Says he will sign it personally.
Poe says it sounds like they won't have a unanimous vote, and that's the only way he wants to sign it as a body, so he withdraws the motion. He suggests having commissioners submit draft letters, then considering them at a future meeting.
Meeting is adjourned.
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