O-2004-1501-AAAA re:Main Street District

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e e All of the meetings were open to the public. Several business owners and residents attended throughout the process. Several letters were sent to property owners within the district as the process was developing to inform them of the work underway and provide updates. The committee held a public hearing, which was well attended. The input throughout the process was considered and the results of our recommendation may not be totally accepted by all of the owners, but for the most part our committee feels is in line with what many business owners feel is needed to preserve and help Main Street become stronger. Attached is a summary of the differences between the current commercial district regulations and the proposed new regulations. The main difference is the mixed use of the district. Within the Main Street District residential activities would be allowed to coincide with commercial activities. The overlay portion would limit the residential activity to the second story or above only. There would be a prohibition of mini storage warehousing and laundry plants within the district and special conditional use permitted activities would still be required as in commercial and residential districts. Some examples are churches, special clubs or civic organizations, hospitals, clinics, etc. Another consideration is the allowance for zero setback in the front to create a more pedestrian friendly atmosphere. The district needed to limit parking in front of the businesses along Main Street to create a sense of access for pedestrians. In order for owners to rebuild existing structures and keep with the current appearance, the lot coverage with structures had to be increased from 40 percent to 60 or 80 percent. The size of the district would not have an adverse effect on the existing drainage, since most of the existing property already has most of the lot under impervious coverage. Other notable changes were the signage requirements, sidewalks, and the number of parking spaces. An increase of 10% would be allowed for wall signs. No sidewalks would be required. Parking would be decreased to require only employee parking for new buildings only. The Main Street Committee is working with Debra Dye, the Downtown Revitalization Coordinator, to continue to investigate height limitations and architectural integrity for new buildings in the area, These will be presented in the future under a separate amendment. The attached recommendations also include a list of items not typically found in a zoning ordinance or regulated in a standard ordinance. The following would require the City's assistance and participation of local business and property owners: · Drainage in the area needs to be addressed both in the streets and alleys. · The ability to hang signage over the sidewalks (currently State ROW). · Traffic Control devices such as traffic signals along Main Street, especially at 2nd or 3rd Street for the fire department, and marked crosswalks. · Sidewalks on side streets to connect to Main Street to aid with parking and pedestrian movement.