5.7. SR 04-14-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes March 24, 2003 Page 2 6. Downtown Revitalization Project Update Catherine Mehelich presented a status report on the downtown revitalization project. Catherine indicated that MetroPlains is requesting the HRA's consideration of a 6-month extension to the preliminary redevelopment agreement. Mr. Vern Hanson representing MetroPlains indicated that the current agreement expires on May 1, 2003. He indicated that MetroPlains is requesting a 6-month extension of the pre- development agreement to complete the process. Mr. Hanson reviewed the activities that the developers have been working on over the past months. It was the consensus of the HRA to extend the pre-development agreement for a six-month period. Catherine reported that she would work with the attorney to prepare a formal amendment to the agreement for the HRA's formal action in April. 6.1. Review and Comment on New Downtown District Planner Chris Leeseberg reviewed the proposed downtown district standards. He indicated that staff drafted the guidelines after visiting several downtowns in other cities. Mr. Leeseberg noted that the Planning Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, River's Edge Downtown Business Association and MetroPlams have reviewed the guidelines. He explained that the design standards are meant to be a framework for the future design of the downtown area. Mr. Leeseberg explained that the area to be included in the new Downtown District area is located south of Highway 10, north of the Mississippi River from where Main Street and Parrish Avenue meet, and east of Lowell Avenue. He indicated that the Planning Commission felt this area would be a good starting point. Mr. Leeseberg indicated that staff is looking for HRA input regarding the proposed guidelines and the development district. Chair Toth questioned whether some of the property west of Lowell and south of Main Street could be included in the district. Director of Planning Michele McPherson indicated that the Planning Commission's suggested district did not include that area and felt that Lowell seemed to be a logical physical break point. Commissioner Motin questioned if MetroPlains had reviewed the proposed guidelines. Chris Leeseberg indicated that the two main issues that MetroPlains had after reviewing the guidelines include the building height and unit width. Commissioner Motin stated that the guidelines are too restrictive, as they seem to preserve the downtown as it currently is. Commissioner Motin indicated he would rather see what could be changed to help the downtown rather than maintain the exact same look as it currently has. Commissioner Motin noted that it would be good to keep a traditional theme but not necessarily a 1900's theme. Commissioner Motin indicated that he does not feel that the existing downtown should be preserved. Commissioner Lieser indicated that trying to preserve some of the unique buildings would be helpful for everybody's future. She noted that the guidelines are too restrictive. Commissioner Lieser suggested working with the existing building fagades. She further noted that it might not be feasible to renovate some of the older facades.