BRIEF HISTORY OF ITEM
The Planning Board will review this Concept Plan on Feb. 27, 2020. At a recent Study Session on Jan. 28, 2020, City Council was provided an update from the Department of Community Vitality regarding the city owned parking lot located at 12th and Pleasant streets, a portion of the subject. As noted in the update, the subject site has been earmarked as a potential location for an “anchor use” for the University Hill Business District as part of a 2014 City Council priority to develop the Hill Reinvestment Strategy to restore the Hill Business District to year-round vitality. Originally planned as a “public/private partnership” to redevelop the site as the anchor use, when the city’s cost became cost prohibitive, City Council directed staff in April 2019 to proceed with a fair market value sale of the parking lot property. The Concept Plan Review application is the conceptual proposal for this anchor site from the development team. After review of the proposal by City Council, the applicant is expected to submit an application for Site Review, subject to review by Planning Board and a 30-day call-up consideration by City Council; and the sale of the property is contingent upon the approval of the Site Review.
The Planning Board is anticipated to review this Concept Plan in a Public Hearing on Feb. 27, 2020. Prior to that in a Study Session on Jan. 28, 2020, City Council was provided an update by the Department of Community Vitality on the intent, evolution and anticipated next steps of the project, which includes a request by the developer to purchase the UHGID-owned parking lot located at 12th and Pleasant streets. As noted in the update, the subject site has been earmarked as a potential location for an “anchor use” to support the City Council priority in 2014 to craft a Hill Reinvestment Strategy to restore the Hill Commercial Area to year-round vitality. Originally planned in 2015 as a “public/private partnership” to redevelop the site as the anchor use above a city-owned and operated parking garage, when the city’s cost became cost prohibitive, council directed staff in April 2019 to proceed with a fair market value sale of the parking lot property, with sale conditions as requested by council, including a TDM plan, relocation assistance for impacted tenants and employment opportunities for CU students. The Concept Plan Review application is the conceptual proposal for this anchor site from the development team. After review of the proposal by City Council, the applicant is expected to submit an application for Site Review, subject to review by Planning Board and a 30-day call-up consideration by City Council; and the sale of the property is contingent upon the approval of the Site Review