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42 <br /> <br />neighborhood is almost unanimously against the rezoning because of concern about the <br />density. He said Council is feeling growing pains with having a PUD on such a small lot. <br />He said the project's conflict with PUD objectives is a further conflict. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that as we try to resolve this issue, we should do it in the context <br />of limiting it to Commerce Street which directly borders a mixed use district. He said the <br />project could serve as a buffer between that and the neighborhood. He said we need to <br />make sure we are not setting a precedent. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said she strongly disagrees with Mr. Lynch. She said she has heard <br />from more who are against than for the project, but she does not think this will open the <br />floodgate of development and feels that is a red herring. She said each PUD must be <br />considered on its own merits. She said she thinks there needs to be more time for <br />education about the points of the ordinances and the aims of PUDs on small lots. She <br />said she cannot support deferring the ordinance as she thinks Council has enough <br />information to decide. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he feels it is important when there are acknowledged <br />ambiguities that staff present all sides so Council can come to its own conclusions. He <br />made a substitute motion, in deference to the property owner, to deny the rezoning. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown ruled the motion out of order because it is not germane to the motion <br />to defer. Dr. Brown said he concurs with Ms. Hamilton that Council should honor the <br />request of the owner not to defer the vote. <br /> <br /> The motion to defer the rezoning failed by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. <br />Caravati and Mr. Lynch. Noes: Dr. Brown and Ms. Hamilton. Abstaining: Mr. <br />Schilling. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling offered a substitute motion to deny the rezoning, but it died for lack <br />of a second. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he is not persuaded by arguments about which ordinance has <br />precedence. He said he thinks if the Planning Commission supports the rezoning that he <br />is inclined to look favorably on their recommendation. He said he does not think this sets <br />a precedent. He said Council may need to look at the ordinance and discuss size and <br />open space requirements. He said he is inclined to support the rezoning. <br /> <br /> The ordinance rezoning Commerce Street property to PUD was denied by the <br />following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown and Ms. Hamilton. Noes: Mr. Lynch and Mr. <br />Schilling. Abstaining: Mr. Caravati. <br /> <br />ORDINANCE: CLOSING OLD 5TM STREET, S.W. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said that Southern Development has requested that Old 5th Street, off <br />Harris Road, be closed. He said issues had been raised previously by Council about the <br />value of the street and what is being offered. He said Southern Development has offered <br />two options: 1) $50,000 for the property and six affordable units (in the $150,000 range) <br />done in partnership with Piedmont Housing Alliance; or 2) no payment for the property <br />and six affordable units ($175,000 or lower). Mr. Tolbert noted that the offer of $50,000 <br />exceeds the Assessor's value on the property. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton asked for explanation of the affordable housing proposed, and what <br />the mortgage would be if they partner with PHA. <br /> <br /> Mr. Frank Bailiff of Southern Development, said that mortgage amounts with <br />PHA are 80% of the sales price. Mr. Bailiff presented a third option for Council's <br />consideration: no payment and four affordable units ($150,000) and an assurance that the <br />funds will be returned if the units are sold. <br /> <br /> <br />