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City Council (2017-05-02)Initiation of a Zoning Code Amendment City Council –May 2, 2017 The Changing Mix of Downtown Uses 2007 Retail: 29% (64K) Restaurant: 28% (61K) 2015 Restaurant: 41% (95K) Retail: 23% (52K) Restaurant (Beer & Wine)Wine Bar Full BarRestaurant (General Alcohol) Influx of Alcohol-Serving Uses March 5, 2013 –Council Study Session July 16, 2013 –Council Study Session February 17, 2015 –Council Study Session June 16, 2015 –Joint Council/Planning Commission Study Session February 23, 2016 –Planning Commission Public Hearing March 15, 2016 –City Council Public Hearing February 7, 2017 –City Council Study Session Background Require a Conditional Use Permit for all new restaurants Create an Admin. CUP for new restaurants Establish a maximum number of restaurants allowed Establish a maximum square-footage cap for restaurants Prohibit new restaurants Establish a temporary moratorium on new restaurants Modify the Downtown Alcohol Beverage Policy to address over-concentration of alcohol service Establish a grant program for retail tenant improvements Reinstate the Interim Parking in-lieu fee (all uses) Explore sales-tax rebate program Consider FAR “bonus” for additions for non-restaurant use Provide assigned parking for retail employees Rejected Actions A Less Regulatory Approach to Zoning There’s no magic-bullet to restore traditional retail, which is undergoing a significant transformation on a national scale. Restricted zoning may be limiting new business concepts that will increasingly combine several activities (e.g., retail, instruction, and/or service) in the same tenant space. Current standards are so limiting as to be counterproductive by restricting alternatives to restaurants. Allowing additional land use options will provide competition for tenant spaces and choices for property owners, encouraging Downtown to evolve in a more organic manner. A More Varied Downtown Eco-System Consider additional uses that serve the needs of the community as in the past: Studios yoga, martial arts, Pilates, etc.) Service commercial (salons, alterations/tailor, shoe repair, dry cleaning etc.) Professional office Medical office Tutoring (SAT prep, computers) Maintain a Pedestrian-Oriented Downtown Additional uses may not all be “active,” but many will bring additional foot-traffic to the Downtown. Ensure storefronts for all uses remain inviting and open. Establish standards for storefront glazing and business layout:  Encourage Retail on Winchester and ECAMP Winchester Blvd. E. Campbell Ave. Changes to the C-3 Zoning District will also change the allowable uses within the Winchester Blvd. and East Campbell Avenue Master Plan Areas. To encourage retailers in these areas, remove the requirement for an Admin. P-D Permit. Relax Downtown Signage Standards Expedite sign review by allowing all signs to be reviewed through a building permit Increase the maximum wall sign size from 40 square-feet to 50 square-feet (equal to the rest of the City) Allow ancillary menu/special/sale sign boards Allow wall signs on second-stories by right (currently requires a Sign Exception) Allow (formalize) A-frame signs on private property Allow for free-standing signs on certain properties Other Actions to Consider Reconsider parking requirements for uses establishing in existing buildings Require new restaurants to adhere to a parking standard Eliminate parking standard for all other uses Consider reinstatement of parking in-lieu fee for restaurants who wish to exceed the seating allowance Through Econ. Development, actively recruit anchor retailers Identify successful local retailers in other communities who may be willing to expand into Campbell Summary and Council Direction Initiate preparation of Zoning Code Amendment Expand the list of allowable uses in the C-3 Zoning District Strengthen storefront design standards Remove the Admin. P-D Permit for new retailers on Winchester and East Campbell Avenue Require that new restaurants to adhere to a parking standard Remove the parking requirement for all other use Reinstate the parking in-lieu fee for restaurants Relax the signage standards for the C-3 Zoning District If the status quo is acceptable, cease this planning review