City Council - Regular Meetings

Exhibit A FY22 BUDGET HEARING WEBSTER GROVES CITY COUNCIL JUNE 1, 2021  BUDGET PROCESS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION • June 1 • American Rescue Plan • Budget does NOT include ARP funds • Public Hearing (estimated at $4.2million). • 1st & 2nd Reading of • These funds were not included as they are not received and will have guidance Salary Ordinances attached on allowable expenditures. • June 15 • Budget Adoption • Budget Amendments • 3rd Reading of Salary • The council may amend the budget throughout the year to account for changed Ordinances revenues, operational needs, and the inclusion of the ARP funds.  TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATIONS ALL FUNDS Total Revenues: $24,346,789.00 Total Appropriations: $29,619,910.00 GENERAL FUND REVENUES & APPROPRIATIONS GENERAL FUND Total Revenues: $17,168,865.00 Total Appropriations: $19,262,487.00 Deficit: $2,093,622.00  GENERAL FUND FY19-FY22 PERSONNEL EXPENDITURE GROWTH VS REVENUE FY19 to FY22 FY19 ACTUAL FY20 ACTUAL FY21 ESTIMATE FY22 BUDGET (+/-) TOTAL PERSONNEL 1,869,836 $ 12,971,474.00 $ 13,335,142.78 $ 13,905,970.00 $ 14,841,310.00 EXPENDITURES (+14.415%) 406,594.18 TOTAL REVENUE 16,762,270.80 16,048,261.64 17,753,049.00 17,168,865 (+2.425%) TOTAL FTE 147.20 147.20 149.70 150.70 +3.5 FTE FY 22 SALARY ORDINANCES DISCUSSION  WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE SALARY ORDINANCES AND FY22 BUDGET? FY21 ADDED FTE FY22 ADDED FTE 2.5 FTE Added in FY 21 (Mid-year) 1 new FTE in FY22 1. Customer Support Supervisor (.5 to 1FTE) 2. Building Inspector Permit Technician – 3. Public Affairs & Engagement Director Planning and Development Two of these positions (Customer Support Supervisor and Public Affairs & Engagement Director) are added to the Salary range ordinance.  WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE SALARY ORDINANCES AND FY22 BUDGET? 2% COLA INCREASE STEP PROGRAM Fire Steps continued, in 3rd year All Employees (Full & Part-Time) Police Steps continued, in 2nd year The Salary ranges for each position in Following the application of the 2% the City are adjusted up 2% and the increase to each range, the fire and current base salary of an employee is police personnel in the step program adjusted up 2%, effective July 1, 2021. are advanced, on July 1, to their next step based on their anniversary date or last promotional date as it will occur within FY22.  Firefighter ($) Captain ($) FY 22 Step 0 62,587 85,885 FY 22 Step 1 65,265 88,675 FIRE STEPS FY 22 Step 2 67,943 91,464 FY 22 Step 3 70,621 94,254 FY22 SHOWN WITH FY 22 Step 4 73,300 97,044 2% INCREASE IN FY 22 Step 5 75,978 EACH STEP FY 22 Step 6 78,656 FY 22 Step 7 81,334 FY 22 Step 8 84,012  Police Officer ($) Sergeant ($) FY 22 Step 0 59,331 80,019 FY 22 Step 1 61,554 82,242 POLICE STEPS FY 22 Step 2 63,777 84,465 FY 22 Step 3 66,001 86,688 FY 22 SHOWN WITH FY 22 Step 4 68,224 88,911 2% INCREASE IN FY 22 Step 5 70,447 EACH STEP FY 22 Step 6 72,670 FY 22 Step 7 74,894 FY 22 Step 8 77,117 FY 22 Step 9 79,340  WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SALARY ORDINANCES AND FY22 BUDGET? 1.5% PERFORMANCE PAY Historically granted on January 1 of each year, the performance pay was a base increase for employees determined by departmental performance review. For those at the maximum of their range, the increase was paid as a 27th pay period lump sump pay check. The FY22 budget does not include funding for this base wage increase.  AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN INFORMATION Anticipated Revenue: $4,202,978.18 • US Treasury -> State -> Webster Groves • State must issue funds within 30 days of receipt • Further federal guidance on allowable expenditures required for City to act. • State cannot impose restrictions above the federal guidance FY22 BUDGET QUESTIONS?  Page 1 Exhibit B Katie Nakazono - Public Hearing; Proposed City Budget, June 1, 2021 From: Dave Buck <dave@buckstl.com> To: "citycouncil@webstergroves.org" <citycouncil@webstergroves.org>, "people... Date: 5/29/2021 2:27 PM Subject: Public Hearing; Eroposed City Budget, June 1, 2021 Cc: Jaime Mowers <:jmowers@timesnewspapers.com>, "newsroom@timesnewspapers.co... Mayor, City Council & City Staff, As a resident, I applaud and appreciate City Hall's honesty, openness and courage to make the tough decisions in developing this year's city's budget during these challenging times. This is the city's annual OPERATING budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, built department by department, and reflects everything it takes to run the city effectively and efficiently every day of the year. But, in my mind, if this is a TRUE & TOTAL annual City budget, then it is incomplete. Specifically, City Council regularly sets serious STRATEGIC goals for the city and itself. Some of these goals warrant being developed into specific action plans with associated budgets, such as these Council goals: • Foster a strong business community. • Engage in effective communications. • Promote art and beautification efforts that advance Webster Groves as the "City of the Arts." Judgmentally, a strong case can be made that these STRATEGIC goals warrant being built into the specific action plans and associated budgets to achieve them. But without the backing of such plans or budgets, these goals risk becoming empty promises with no urgency or tangible commitment. In closing, I think that the city's department OPERATING budget+ City Council's STRATEGIC goal budget= the TRUE & TOTAL annual City budget. PEACE. Dave file:///C:/Users/nakazonok/ AppOata/Local/Temp/XPgrpwise/60B24F43WG_ DOMWG_P... 5/30/2021  6/10/2021 Exhibit C June 1, 2021 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Zoning “D” Commercial District First & Second Reading An Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit to The Willow in Webster to Allow Banquet Facility and Dancing Academy Uses on an Approximately 0.45-Acre Tract of Land in an Existing Structure at 60 N. Gore Avenue in the “D” Commercial District and Matters Related Thereto 1  6/10/2021 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Surrounding Uses/ Zoning First & Second Reading • North: “D” Commercial District An Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit to • East: “A4” Seventy-Five The Willow in Webster to Hundred Square Foot Allow Banquet Facility and Residence District Dancing Academy Uses on an Approximately 0.45-Acre • South: “D” Commercial Tract of Land in an Existing District Structure at 60 N. Gore Avenue in the “D” • West: “PC” Planned Commercial District and Commercial District Matters Related Thereto including office, surface parking, retail, and auto body repair uses 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Existing Conditions First & Second Reading An Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit to The Willow in Webster to Allow Banquet Facility and Dancing Academy Uses on an Approximately 0.45-Acre Tract of Land in an Existing Structure at 60 N. Gore Looking east from N. Gore Ave. Looking north from N. Gore Ave. Avenue in the “D” Commercial District and Matters Related Thereto Looking SW from Marshall Place Looking west from Marshall Place 2  6/10/2021 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 History First & Second Reading • 1893- Existing structure built as Henry Shultz Feed & Grain An Ordinance Granting a Store Conditional Use Permit to The Willow in Webster to • 1923- 60 N Gore Ave. zoned Allow Banquet Facility and “E” Industrial District Dancing Academy Uses on an Approximately 0.45-Acre • 1959- Harriet and James Tract of Land in an Existing McMillan opened Rolling Structure at 60 N. Gore Ridge Nursery Avenue in the “D” Commercial District and • 1987- 60 N Gore zoned Matters Related Thereto “D” Commercial District along with many of the commercial & industrial properties in Old Webster commercial district Additional office tenants have utilized space within the existing commercial building 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Historic Districts First & Second Reading Marshall Place An Ordinance Granting a National Historic Conditional Use Permit to District- June 17, The Willow in Webster to 1982 Allow Banquet Facility and Dancing Academy Uses on Old Webster an Approximately 0.45-Acre Local Historic Tract of Land in an Existing District- July 2, Structure at 60 N. Gore 1985 Avenue in the “D” Commercial District and Local Historic Matters Related Thereto Landmark November 4, 1986 3  6/10/2021 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Comprehensive Plan Analysis First & Second Reading The 1978 Comprehensive Plan: Encouraged the success of An Ordinance Granting a commercial districts as necessary for maintaining attractiveness Conditional Use Permit to and quality of life in the City The Willow in Webster to Allow Banquet Facility and Dancing Academy Uses on an Approximately 0.45-Acre Tract of Land in an Existing Structure at 60 N. Gore Avenue in the “D” Commercial District and Matters Related Thereto 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Comprehensive Plan Analysis First & Second Reading 2006 Development Foundation Plan identifies Old Webster as “the An Ordinance Granting a most pedestrian friendly commercial area of the city.” Included Conditional Use Permit to subject properties as part of the “Existing Old Webster Mixed Use The Willow in Webster to Core” Allow Banquet Facility and Dancing Academy Uses on Recommended three principal areas to address market gaps in Old an Approximately 0.45-Acre Webster: Tract of Land in an Existing • Provision of alternative housing types Structure at 60 N. Gore • Retail services niches Avenue in the “D” • Office/employment uses Commercial District and Matters Related Thereto The maps of the 2006 Development Foundation Plan were adopted as an amendment to the 1978 Comprehensive Plan. 4  6/10/2021 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Comprehensive Plan Analysis First & Second Reading In 2017, the City incorporated the An Ordinance Granting a 2006 DFP maps into a consolidated Conditional Use Permit to Comprehensive Plan Map The Willow in Webster to Amendment Allow Banquet Facility and Dancing Academy Uses on The 2017 Comprehensive Plan Map an Approximately 0.45-Acre Amendment recommended Mixed- Tract of Land in an Existing Use Development at the subject Structure at 60 N. Gore properties along with much of the Old Avenue in the “D” Webster commercial area Commercial District and Matters Related Thereto Staff has determined that a Conditional Use Permit to allow a Banquet Facility use and Dancing Academy use at the subject property would be appropriate within the commercial and mixed use designation in the city’s Comprehensive Plan. 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Conditional Use Permit First & Second Reading Per Sec. 53.173(c), the Council shall determine whether the An Ordinance Granting a proposed banquet facility use and dancing academy use will Conditional Use Permit to not: The Willow in Webster to Allow Banquet Facility and 1. Substantially increase traffic hazards or congestion. Dancing Academy Uses on 2. Substantially increase fire hazards. an Approximately 0.45-Acre 3. Adversely affect the character of the neighborhood. Tract of Land in an Existing 4. Adversely affect the general welfare of the community. Structure at 60 N. Gore 5. Overtax public utilities. Avenue in the “D” Commercial District and Matters Related Thereto 5  6/10/2021 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Uses First & Second Reading The applicant has requested to allow activities which would fall An Ordinance Granting a under a Banquet Facility use and a Dancing Academy use: Conditional Use Permit to The Willow in Webster to • Wedding/Bridal/Baby showers Allow Banquet Facility and • Bridal ready room Dancing Academy Uses on • Meetings an Approximately 0.45-Acre • Photoshoots Tract of Land in an Existing • Visual Art Gallery Structure at 60 N. Gore • Intimate Live Music Venue Avenue in the “D” • Cocktail/Holiday/Birthday Commercial District and Gatherings Matters Related Thereto • Intimate Receptions • Book Launch/Signing • Yoga • Small vendor pop-ups 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Uses First & Second Reading The applicant has requested to allow activities which would fall An Ordinance Granting a under a Banquet Facility use and a Dancing Academy use: Conditional Use Permit to The Willow in Webster to • Wedding/Bridal/Baby showers Allow Banquet Facility and • Bridal ready room Dancing Academy Uses on • Meetings an Approximately 0.45-Acre • Photoshoots Tract of Land in an Existing • Visual Art Gallery Structure at 60 N. Gore • Intimate Live Music Venue Avenue in the “D” • Cocktail/Holiday/Birthday Commercial District and Gatherings Matters Related Thereto • Intimate Receptions • Book Launch/Signing • Yoga • Small vendor pop-ups 6  6/10/2021 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Parking First & Second Reading For a Banquet Facility use, the City’s Parking Code requires a An Ordinance Granting a minimum of one (1) parking space for every three (3) seats, plus two Conditional Use Permit to (2) parking spaces for every three (3) employees on the maximum The Willow in Webster to shift. Allow Banquet Facility and Dancing Academy Uses on an Approximately 0.45-Acre Table 1. Parking supply Tract of Land in an Existing Location Number of Parking Structure at 60 N. Gore Spaces Avenue in the “D” 60 N Gore Ave 5 Commercial District and Matters Related Thereto 61 N Gore Ave 30 147 W Pacific Ave 30 Total: 65 parking spaces 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Parking First & Second Reading Evening events (after 5pm) An Ordinance Granting a • When Rolling Ridge Nursery is closed for the day Conditional Use Permit to • 65 parking spaces available The Willow in Webster to Table 2. Minimum Parking standards for Banquet Facility Use (Evening events) Allow Banquet Facility and Dancing Academy Uses on Type Code Standard Parking spaces required an Approximately 0.45-Acre Tract of Land in an Existing Staff 2 spaces per 3 employees 6 parking spaces (8 employees assumed) Structure at 60 N. Gore Attendees 1 spaces per 3 seats 59 parking spaces Avenue in the “D” (177 seats assumed) Commercial District and Total: 65 parking spaces Matters Related Thereto 7  6/10/2021 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Parking First & Second Reading Day events (7am-5pm) An Ordinance Granting a • Rolling Ridge Nursery is open Conditional Use Permit to • 30 parking spaces available The Willow in Webster to Table 3. Minimum Parking standards for Banquet Facility Use (Day events) Allow Banquet Facility and Dancing Academy Uses on Type Code Standard Parking spaces required an Approximately 0.45-Acre Tract of Land in an Existing Staff 2 spaces per 3 employees 4 parking spaces (4 employees assumed) Structure at 60 N. Gore Attendees 1 spaces per 3 seats 26 parking spaces Avenue in the “D” (78 seats assumed) Commercial District and Total: 30 parking spaces Matters Related Thereto 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Parking First & Second Reading Parking lots at 61 N Gore An Ordinance Granting a Ave and 147 W Pacific are Conditional Use Permit to located within the Old The Willow in Webster to Webster Redevelopment Allow Banquet Facility and Area Dancing Academy Uses on an Approximately 0.45-Acre Staff would recommend Tract of Land in an Existing requiring the applicant to Structure at 60 N. Gore obtain a private parking Avenue in the “D” lease agreement to secure Commercial District and an equivalent number of Matters Related Thereto parking spaces in the event 61 N Gore Ave and 147 W Pacific Ave are redeveloped. 8  6/10/2021 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Fire Code Occupancy First & Second Reading The fire code Table 4. Fire code occupancy standards An Ordinance Granting a standards Space Recommended Max Conditional Use Permit to recommend a Standard Occupancy The Willow in Webster to minimum floor Main building 15sqft per person 75 persons Allow Banquet Facility and area of fifteen (15) (1,118 sqft) square feet per Greenhouse 15sqft per person 146 persons Dancing Academy Uses on (2,192 sqft) an Approximately 0.45-Acre person in an Total: 221 persons Tract of Land in an Existing assembly area Structure at 60 N. Gore with non-fixed Avenue in the “D” tables and chairs. Commercial District and Matters Related Thereto Fire Department requested an emergency egress plan prior to future business license approval 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Maximum Occupancy First & Second Reading Considering parking and fire An Ordinance Granting a code standards Conditional Use Permit to The Willow in Webster to Staff recommends: Allow Banquet Facility and • Daytime: Max seventy five Dancing Academy Uses on (75) persons for daytime an Approximately 0.45-Acre events held prior to 5pm Tract of Land in an Existing • Evening: Max one hundred Structure at 60 N. Gore fifty (150) persons for events Avenue in the “D” held between 5pm and 11pm Commercial District and • Minimum parking supply of Matters Related Thereto sixty-five (65) off-street parking spaces with the option to provide an equivalent number of off- street parking spaces through private parking lease agreements. 9  6/10/2021 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Hours of Operation First & Second Reading 7am to 11pm, all days of the An Ordinance Granting a week Conditional Use Permit to The Willow in Webster to Reduced maximum occupancy Allow Banquet Facility and level for events held by The Dancing Academy Uses on Willow in Webster prior to 5pm an Approximately 0.45-Acre Tract of Land in an Existing Structure at 60 N. Gore Avenue in the “D” Commercial District and Matters Related Thereto 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Dimensional Regulations: Setbacks First & Second Reading The existing commercial building encroaches beyond the south front property line 1.11-feet into the Marshall Place right of way. An Ordinance Granting a • A legal non-conforming structure Conditional Use Permit to • Existing structure is allowed to remain in place with interior The Willow in Webster to renovations and change of use as a legal, nonconforming Allow Banquet Facility and structure. Dancing Academy Uses on an Approximately 0.45-Acre Tract of Land in an Existing Staff does not Structure at 60 N. Gore recommend Avenue in the “D” placing additional Commercial District and dimensional Matters Related Thereto regulations upon the proposed use. 10  6/10/2021 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Performance Standards & Lighting First & Second Reading Regulating levels of noise, vibration, odor, smoke, and other externalities of operations that may impact neighboring properties An Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit to Max lighting is 0.5 foot-candles at any residential property line The Willow in Webster to Allow Banquet Facility and Staff does not recommend setting Performance Standards for the Dancing Academy Uses on requested uses beyond those already required in the “D” an Approximately 0.45-Acre Commercial District. Tract of Land in an Existing Structure at 60 N. Gore Avenue in the “D” Commercial District and Matters Related Thereto 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Historic Preservation & ARB First & Second Reading The applicant has not proposed exterior alterations to the existing commercial buildings An Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit to Should the applicant propose future exterior alterations to the The Willow in Webster to existing buildings in the future, the plans would require approval Allow Banquet Facility and from the Architectural Review Board in a public hearing Dancing Academy Uses on an Approximately 0.45-Acre Tract of Land in an Existing Structure at 60 N. Gore Avenue in the “D” Commercial District and Matters Related Thereto 11  6/10/2021 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Staff Recommendations First & Second Reading Should the City Council recommend approval, Staff would recommend the following conditions: An Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit to 1. All provisions of the City Code shall apply except as The Willow in Webster to expressly modified in this Ordinance #9150. Allow Banquet Facility and 2. All events held under the Banquet Facility use and Dancing Dancing Academy Uses on Academy use shall be located within the existing footprint an Approximately 0.45-Acre of the greenhouse and second floor of the existing Tract of Land in an Existing commercial structure. Structure at 60 N. Gore 3. The uses shall not encroach further beyond the south front Avenue in the “D” property line than the existing legal, nonconforming Commercial District and commercial structure. The Dimensional Regulations of the Matters Related Thereto “D” Commercial District shall apply. 4. The maximum occupancy level for events of the Banquet Facility and Dancing Academy uses shall not exceed seventy five (75) persons for daytime events held prior to 5pm and one hundred and fifty (150) persons for evening events held between 5pm and 11pm. 21-PC-03 The Willow in Webster City Council CUP (60 N Gore Ave.) Bill #9150 Staff Recommendations Continued First & Second Reading Should the City Council recommend approval, Staff would recommend the following conditions: An Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit to 5. A minimum of sixty-five (65) off-street parking spaces shall The Willow in Webster to be provided. An equivalent number of off-street parking Allow Banquet Facility and spaces shall be provided through private parking lease Dancing Academy Uses on agreements should existing parking facilities at 61 N Gore an Approximately 0.45-Acre Ave and 147 W Pacific Ave be removed or become Tract of Land in an Existing unavailable. Structure at 60 N. Gore 6. Hours of operation shall be limited to 7AM to 11 PM daily. Avenue in the “D” 7. The applicant shall provide the Fire Department with an Commercial District and emergency egress plan. Fire Department approval of the Matters Related Thereto emergency egress plan shall be necessary prior to business license approval. 8. This conditional use permit is personal to the owner and shall not run with the land. 12  Page 1 of 2 Exhibit D Katie Nakazono - Dave Buck "Remarks of Visitors", City Council Mtg., 6/1/21 From: Dave Buck <dave@buckstl.com> To: "citycouncil@webstergroves.org" <citycounci l@webstergroves.org>, "people ... Date: 5/29/2021 4:26 PM Subject: Dave Buck "Remarks of Visitors", City Council Mtg., 6/1/21 Cc: Jaime Mowers <jmowers@timesnewspapers.com>, "newsroom@timesnewspapers.co ... Mayor, City Council, City Staff & SG Collaborative, This shares two personal hopes from the cheap seats to build upon your earlier work session discussion this evening on the Old Webster Redevelopment Project. HOPE#! Before it gets too late, I hope that City Council, City Staff and SG Collaborative come together as a united team and revisit and possibly rethink and update the original four objectives in the City's RFP to better define success and evaluate performance on this project. In abbreviated form, the original objectives were: 1) remediate conditions that can lead to blighting; 2) remove conditions representing economic and social liability; 3) promote new development; and 4) enhance the stability of the area. Versus these broad and vague statements, a project this big and important needs well-defined and agreed-to SMART Goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic & Timely. Additionally, EVERYONE knows more about this project now than when it started over the year ago. For example, should an overall project goal exist around 1) affordable housing; or 2) advancing the historic small-town character and arts identity of Webster Groves; or 3} leveraging the deep history of the site as the 1866 home to freed former slaves who built the First Baptist Church on Porter's Subdivision by Shady Creek and lived up the hill from the church on "Vinegar Hill?" HOPE#2 Here is my single biggest concern about the redevelopment project. Bar none. SG Collaborative is leading the biggest and most important creative development project of its kind in the history of Webster Groves. And in creative thinking, there is ALWAYS more than one right answer. But SG Collaborative has presented to the community only ONE fundamental plan, dating back to last July. There have been meaningful enhancements along the way, but it is still the same ONE plan at its core. file:///C:/Users/nakazonok/AppData/Local/Temp/XPgrpwise/60B26B1FWG_DOMWG_P... 5/30/2021  Page 2 of 2 So, let me be clear. My real issue is not in the ONE plan they have presented. It is that it is the ONLY ONE. Certainly, there is more than just ONE idea for this 15-acre site. Can the community at least have a choice of at least two good and different options? The community deserves a second choice in order to make a better final decision of the ONE they like best. PEACE. Dave file:///C:/Users/nakazonok/ AppData/Local/Temp/XPgrpwise/60826B l FWG_DOMWG_P... 5/30/2021  Exhibit E Repeal Vote: Ordinance #9145 (Duplex Housing in the A4 Residential District) I will not vote to repeal this ordinance tonight and look forward to the community debate about it as we move to the August election. Contrary to what opponents say, I am not afraid of an election. It will provide an opportunity for our community to learn more about this ordinance and for us to have another conversation about housing options in our community. Ordinance #9145 was designed to address what some planners refer to as “missing middle” housing. We have a growing problem with infill housing in which developers tear down affordable homes and replace them with new houses that are many times more expensive. I’ve provided several examples in the past. While some residents would like us to simply ban developers from building infill housing, we cannot legally do that. Instead, we can give them options that make homes relatively more affordable, like a duplex with each unit selling for significantly less than those single-family homes being built. These missing middle houses are not currently being built here and are very desirable for young families and seniors. There are safeguards included in this ordinance and in Ordinance #9146, which was passed at the same time, to ensure that new homes (duplexes and single-family homes) better fit their neighborhood and lot size. For example, a great many of the A4 lots are by definition too small to allow duplexes. One estimate based on county assessment records suggests that 50% of A4 lots do not qualify based on the dimensional requirements in the ordinance. In addition, many of the remaining homes are valued at a price that makes them cost prohibitive for infill housing. In addition, there are limits on how much of a lot may be covered by a house and how tall a house can be based on the height of surrounding homes. Every duplex must meet all of the requirements of any single- family home, including off-street parking requirements and approval by the Architectural Review Board. Finally, let me address the three criticisms of the proposal I hear most often: (1) Property values will decline if “multifamily” housing is allowed on a street. There is no evidence that this will be the case. Studies consistently find no negative impact on property values and, in some cases, find an increase in value for property adjacent to or near multifamily homes. A local example is the concern about properties adjacent to or near the Elle on Lockwood. As recent assessments and nearby home sales demonstrate, homes near the Elle have continued to increase in value. (2) Council members are discriminating against those in the A4 district. While I would have preferred a city-wide change and look forward to it in the future, in their deliberations, the Plan Commission decided that starting with the A4 district was preferable since current zoning already allows for duplexes there. Ordinance #9145 simply removes the requirement, added well after our zoning had been established, that 40% of a block must already have duplexes in order to build a new one. (3) This proposal does not go far enough in addressing the issue of housing affordability in our community. There is no one proposal that will solve our affordability challenge. As noted, this is designed to focus on middle-range housing rather than low-income or affordable housing. We do need other avenues to address rising costs and the loss of affordable homes. Zoning is a powerful tool that has too often been used to exclude people based on income or race. Allowing more duplexes is a small step in diversifying our housing stock. Finally, I would note that the Plan Commission, including members who live in the A4 district unanimously approved this proposal after six months of thoughtful discussion. It is a small, good step in providing more options for our community.