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Case File: LU 09-OZ Elk Motel <br />Page 3 Land Use Amendment <br />___________ UR to High Density Residential <br />From a global perspective, commercial land adjacent to the highway is a premium in the city, and <br />difficult to replace, especially within the built "core' of the community. <br />In the opinion of the property owner, the use of the property as ahighway-oriented hotel is no <br />longer profitable, due in part to the access and lot configuration constraints. The property owners <br />feel that the use of the property as an apartment building (a destination use) would be a better use of <br />the land. <br />After analysis, Staff suggests that the use of the property as high density residential would be <br />appropriate. While excellent visibility is available, the other two principle needs of commercial <br />property (access, and space) are not available. The configuration of the lot limits the size of the <br />buildings, allowing primarily small, narrow buildings, and due to the access constraints, likely would <br />not encourage destination offices, hotels, and small strip malls. While these limitations do not <br />prohibit commercial development, they likely will limit the success of commercial endeavors. <br />With the lake views, there is great potential to create high quality apartment homes on the subject <br />property. Further, adjacent to the Guardian Angels facility to the west, the apartment building will <br />serve as a buffer from the future commercial development to the east. <br />It is important to note that with any increase in productivity of the Elk Motel site, noise and traffic <br />will increase, impacting the Guardian Angels facility to the west. <br />Transportation <br />Part of the challenge to this property is the access. Currently, the property is accessed via a driveway <br />west of the developable portion of the property. It is anticipated with the future development of the <br />adjacent parcels to the east, including the bowling alley, that access will be provided to the subject <br />property, likely via an easement. <br />Action Motion by Second by Vote <br />Follow Up <br />S:\PLANNING MAIN\Case Files\LU\LU 09-02 Elk Motel\PC report 12-08-09.doc <br />