2008/11/19 Council Agenda Packet

Planning Commission October 21, 2008 Pg. 6 Meeting Minutes Committee to change the boundary to Everett Avenue for the following reasons: Everett Avenue is a high traffic arterial, current zoning in the area is R-4 multiple family high density, majority of residents are tenants, not homeowners. The area south of Everett Avenue is not consistent with a single family neighborhood. The area includes a tavern, PUD parking, apartments, condos, and rentals. Everett Avenue is a much more logical boundary because over 50% of the area is commercial in use. She manages an 8-unit apartment building in the area where half the tenants walk to the train station and commute everyday. The average rental rate is $550/month. The Everett Comprehensive Plan goals include policies to increase affordable housing to provide for the target population of 123,000 by 2025. One of the policies that align with that goal is Policy 4.7.1 - the city shall encourage multiple family development and redevelopment in downtown and mixed use residential commercial centers along mixed use arterial corridors and major employment areas. Everett Avenue is a straight away to the 1-5 corridor. She recommended that Planning Commission support the boundary alternative 2 which would leave the area between Everett Ave. and California for affordable housing and for potential growth. 8:08:15 PM Charles Ostheimer, 2711 Baker Avenue, owns an apartment house in the R-4 zone. He does not want to lose the 80 foot heights in the area. It is a commercial and rental area. He would like Planning Commission to support the Everett Avenue boundary. 8:10:10 PM Dennis Hatchinson, 2506 Baker, stated that he bought the house 4 years ago from his wife's father. He respects the efforts of the neighborhood. He received a letter in the mail about a month ago and it was the first time that he had heard about the overlay proposal. He believes in private property rights and felt that neighbors can retain the character without an overlay zone. He does not want to be limited to what he can build on his own property. 8:13:50 PM Fred Josephson, 2711 California Street, stated that the eastern boundary to Fulton ignores all the oldest places in Riverside, homes that were built in 1892. The proposal does not protect those homes. 8:15:10 PM Georgia Fountain, 2215 Baker Avenue, stated that she was in support to preserve the main structure but disagrees with what you can and can't do with your homes, garages, and fencing. Some neighbors already have chain link fences. The guidelines limit garage design and size. A lot of the area has mixed use. There are rentals on Fulton, duplexes, four or five-plexes, and she has renters around her. Renters do not appreciate what neighbors may or may not do to their homes. 8:18:20 PM Jason Jenkins, 2117 Baker Avenue, stated that he bought his home five years ago and likes the look of the neighborhood. He has spent a lot of money to retain historical character of his home. He is in support of the historic overlay zone.