(approx. 36 people present)
RE: Re-Zoning #RZ 04 210 Cemetery St./College St. Change C3 to DCD
Developer Robert Forro addressed the board. Believes his plan in keeping with LCI Study-preserve the core of downtown, "shore up" downtown-Webb Field to turn into athletic complex-will have lofts on field--underground parking
When questioned how he will manage the project: Mr Forro,: mixed use always have problems associated with. Will have Homeowners Assoc., over-riding covenants to manage yet to be done" Will leave to his attorneys, citizen input.
Prices he plans $200s plus, $300s plus, Mezzanine $300s plus. Will premarket before he builds. May cut lofts, increase retail (around field?)
Summaries of Citizen Comments:
Citizen #1: requested letter attached to minutes (Applause)
Citizen #2 (Col. Jones Park) likes quality of Forro's houses
Citizen #3 - don't push him away
Citizen #4-Interesting comments, Wingo a problem already, why delay progress, like to see it happen to church property, bring more people to city.
Citizen #5- Does not agree with (#3). Agrees with most of (#1's) thoughts. Need to be preserved, maintain heritage, city needs to get its historic documents in order, no urgency, take time to conserve historic homes. If the town has another Tour of Homes, soon no homes to show. (Applause)
Citizen #6-what impact on Buford Hwy. Haphazard dev. Hard questions to answer
Citizen #7-supports issues Citizen #1 raises, history, no need for urgency, like some questions answered before we rush, like dialog to address concerns to everyone's satisfaction
Citizen #8-agree with (Citizen #1) and (5), eloquent, urge consider carefully, this is a significant turn, not sure will want to live here in future, be very careful, preservation of historic homes the key element brought him here, a culture, a history, neat to entertain visitors at Depot, tell his town's history, can't find this today in other places, need to take a step back, not urgent, extra fast making these decisions, not being careful
(large applause)
Developer Robert Forro's response:
Getting property values up a way of saving historic homes.
Possibly a group could get together to buy the historic houses
He saved 2 houses Col Jones Park; but he said, "casualties from time-to-time"
A balancing act, property rights, legal issues
His urgency-He has to know he has the deal
Parking issues will come
Citizen #9-does not see changes are too fast. Talks about renovations in Decatur where once sagging porches-did renovations-citizens now care for them. Mixed use, economic infusion. Fine line between preservation and shooting in foot.
Board Member-concern (to Forro) Has my wife ever sold for you?
Mr. Forro-No, but I wish she had.
Citizen #10 - sees this rezoning as adding to Buford Hwy. Has seen 100 year old houses that are junk.
Board Member-concerns
City rules (ordinance) for Mixed Use are not yet determined.
No city study or ordinance for list of permitted uses and structures.
Difficult to build toward retail if not defined.
Reads list from LCI study, asks for documented status p.31and pp.43-50.
P and Z Director's response
Reads list, p. 43 LCI-- done.
Refers p. 31 LCI list of items mostly done.
Will publish status on city website.
Motion By Board Member to approve with conditions.
Some conditions:
Max. residential units 43
Min. number spaces on site parking (102) 27 street, 23 open lot surface, 43 deck, 26 deck, 10 town home, total 129 spaces
Only C-3 historic uses permitted
Bldg. Facing Cemetery St. ( not more than 40 percent non-residential by sq. ft.)
