Two two-story office buildings are currently located on the site, along with an 85-space parking lot. The parcel is zoned O (office). After the expansion, there will be a total of 101 parking spaces on the site. A maximum of 111 parking spaces are allowed for the existing office development.

Modifications to the landscaping requirements include: (1) allowing the existing landscaping islands in the parking lot to remain in their current locations; and (2) allowing existing runs of 21 and 28 continuous spaces to remain in place. Landscaping regulations limit the number of continuous parking spaces to 15.

One person – David Diephuis, who owns the home to the north of the site – spoke during public commentary. He asked for a modification to the plan’s proposed plantings between a retaining wall and the parking lot. Instead, he said the owner had agreed to put fewer plantings there in exchange for larger shrubs between the wall and his home to the north. The owner, Tracy Wintermeyer, was on hand and said he agreed to that change. The landscape modification was amended accordingly, with unanimous commission approval.

This brief was filed from the second-floor council chambers of city hall at 301 E. Huron, where planning commission meetings are held. A more detailed report will follow: [link]