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City Council Minutes <br />November 18, 2019 <br />Page 5 <br />Councilmember Ovall stated usually high density is located closer to walkable areas <br />and amenities. He further stated the nuisance abatement is an interesting option but <br />could be an administrative burden. <br />Councilmember Wagner stated she thought everything with the previous high <br />density residential project was heading in the right direction and was surprised it <br />changed and felt it was the better use for this location. She stated having the river <br />amenity behind a high density complex creates opportunity for human interaction to <br />use the bluff and river versus a car dealership, noting it is a great gateway for <br />pedestrian traffic along the river front. Councilmember Wagner stated the larger <br />issue is the nuisance of the building. She suggested working together to find a way to <br />prep the site and make it shovel ready. She stated planning for this area has been in <br />place for a decade and she can't support the amendment. She expressed concerns <br />and further questioned the city attorney about the compatible uses of auto sales in a <br />residential area and setting a precedent with changing the zoning. <br />Attorney Beck stated the city wouldn't get stuck with setting legal precedence in this <br />situation as they would if they were to change a citywide zoning district but it would <br />make it more difficult for Council to make decisions in the future. He is very <br />concerned about subverting the planning process with the application for a text <br />amendment for a limited area versus applying for a comprehensive plan amendment <br />for a rezoning. He noted there could be similar requests in the future that would blur <br />the lines for Council. He expressed concerns with the position Council would put <br />them into but noted it is a policy issue and he has no feeling either way regarding the <br />land use. <br />Mayor Dietz noted the applicant purchased this property in 2014 when it was zoned <br />C3. He stated Council rezoned it in 2016. He asked staff for clarification on the <br />history of this property in regards to zoning and what it could be used for during the <br />time it sat empty. <br />Mr. Carlton stated C3 is highway commercial and allowed for broad commercial uses <br />and auto dealerships would have been an allowed conditional use. <br />Mayor Dietz clarified the zoning for the Skeeter boat project was C3 and would have <br />been allowed to go in at the time. He stated that project was brought to Council <br />prior to the Focused Area Study rezoning approval. <br />Mr. Carlton noted this was correct. <br />Mayor Dietz stated Mr. Briggs had the opportunity and could have chosen to make <br />the property an auto sales business when it was zoned C3 between 2014 and 2016. <br />Mayor Dietz stated he concurred with Councilmember Westgaard's comments and <br />the city attorney concerns and he is not in favor of the amendment. <br />Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember <br />Wagner to direct the preparation of findings of fact denying the proposed <br />p0â– ERE1 HT <br />N" ATURE <br />