From:  Jon R. Oliphant, AICP, Planning & Development Director
Subject:  Public hearing – Special Use request of Bill Hexamer to construct an automobile storage building at 704 Catherine Street
Date:  April 25, 2008

Bill Hexamer has submitted a special use permit application to allow the construction of a facility to house antique automobiles at 704 Catherine Street. The property recently had a dilapidated building that Mr. Hexamer demolished. The property is zoned I-1 (Light Industrial) and the Zoning Code specifies that any permitted use in the C-2 or C-3 Districts is permitted as a special use in the I-1 District. Storage and warehousing is a permitted use in the C-3 District.

The area around the subject property is largely residential, though the RP Lumber store is located about 250 feet away to the north. This lot and those to its immediate east have been vacant or underutilized for many years. Mr. Hexamer proposes to build a new building to store the automobiles entirely within the facility. No noise would result other than the occasional moving of automobiles in and out of the building.

This use would be subject to the landscaping and building design guidelines as would any commercial or industrial use. Streetside and transitional buffer yard (TBY) landscaping will apply (see enclosed plan). The existing healthy trees along the west and south property lines will be retained and used along with new trees to be planted on the west property line as part of the TBY. The landscaping indicated is sufficient to provide an enhanced aesthetic appearance and to provide a buffer between the special use and the neighboring residential properties.

The building would ordinarily be required to contain an acceptable form of decorative masonry on at least 35 percent of the front façade. Mr. Hexamer would like to build a Morton building with wainscoting along the bottom of the façade. In exchange for not meeting the design guidelines, he and staff has agreed that he provide at least 70 points of streetside landscaping above and beyond what is required. I feel that this would provide a better appearance than adding simulated or faux masonry on the front façade.

The proposed use would not pose a detrimental impact on the surrounding residential properties. It is my opinion that this would be a good plan to reuse a property that has deteriorated over time. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the special use permit.

This item is scheduled for a public hearing at the Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, May 7, 2008.