Old Webster Business District Advisory Commission

Old Webster Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 LOCATION: City Hall CALLED TO ORDER: 8:03 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:49 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 NAME PRESENT ABSENT Ron Clipp, Chair X Chris Hite X Joe Rath X Stacie Swederska X Morry Cole X Mark Hinkle X Tim Delanty X Micki Hansel X Matt Armstrong, Council Liaison X Mara Perry, City Liaison X Also in attendance: Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve February minutes was made by Joe Rath, seconded by Chris Hite, and unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS First Congregational/Old Webster Employee Parking Lot – First Congregational Church is moving the dumpster on the lot. This will result in the loss of two parking spaces. They will reduce the lease amount accordingly. OLD BUSINESS • Landscaping Project – Lockwood Concrete Strip/Perennial Bed (in front of parking lot near Dewey’s). Creating a perennial bed would reduce landscaping costs in the long run as replacement plants would not need to be purchased each year and in-the-ground perennials require less watering and maintenance than annuals in pots or planters. This could be a fall project. Since this piece of concrete is privately owned, the project requires contacting the property owner to acquire an easement to create and maintain a perennial bed. Ron Clipp agreed to contact the property owner. Mara Perry will provide Ron with the easement information. In addition, Mara spoke with Paul Verheyen, Director of Public Works, about the project to get an estimate on construction costs. The existing concrete would have to be removed. Public Works employees would do the work; a backhoe would need to be rented.  Project Cost Estimate = o $1,840 for plants and materials o $940 for labor o $160 for topsoil o $660 concrete work (includes rental) • Rooftop Lighting Update – Rooftop lighting on Olive + Oak is complete. Work has started from the Webster-Kirkwood Times building to The Block. The manufacturer for the “string” piece of the lighting is new and less expensive; more could be purchased as a result. CITY UPDATE • There is a contract from a group of developers to purchase the former Gerber Chapel location; they wish to demolish the building. Since the location is in a historical district, the Historic Preservation Commission must approve a Certificate of Appropriateness required to demolish the building. The piece of the building that is of historic significance can no longer be viewed. The 1896 building has been surrounded and added on to over the years on all sides with such things as aluminum siding. • First request to use the new liquor/drinking establishment code has been received in the Old Orchard Business District. The property owner for the former Natural Way location to Mane Country has put in the request as part of a development for the property, Orchard Alley, which includes the addition off the back for a kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor patio on the roof. • Council denied a request to use the property at 8925 Watson Road for a church; requested use doesn’t match the use for that site in the comprehensive plan which is zoned for commercial use; a church would require a zoning change and the property would then be tax exempt. Commercial zoning on Watson road is a prime area for business development. • New AirB&B type uses goes to the Planning Commission. • No activity on the former 20, 000 square foot Auto Beauty property; vacant or un use, the property owner is still responsible for its property taxes. ADJOURNED Meeting adjourned at 8:29 AM. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2016 at 8:00 AM – City Hall.