2005-05-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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He said this site is desired because it is near coffee shops and the Omni Hotel. He said the proposed lease is for one year, renewable, at a cost of $3 per square foot. He recommended that a chain around the newsstand be required. He said the design will need to be approved by the Board of Architectural Review. He said staff feel this is compatible with the mall and said that the Downtown Advisory Committee liked the idea. Mr. Lynch asked if it would be possible to identify the area as is done with traffic calming projects to give the public a better sense of it between now and the second reading. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Tolbert said there is no electricity available and a kerosene heater could be used for heat. Responding to a question from Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Tolbert said that the stand will be approximately 10 x 8 feet, plus the 3 feet around it for a chain, and will remain on the mall at night. Mr. Schilling noted that the stand is proposed to be open until 10:00 p.m. and asked about lights or the use of an electronic cash register. Mr. Lynch said if we do this we are setting a precedent to allow people to reserve permanent space on the mall. He asked how we will differentiate between this and any other vendor. Mr. Tolbert said it will have to be evaluated. He said work is being done on a proposal for permanent space for vendors. Mr. O'Connell noted that this will be similar to the kiosk on the mall. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Steven Russell, 115-B Meghan Court, said he proposed the newsstand because he thinks it will be a viable and good business. Regarding electricity, he said there is a wealth of lights in that area already. He said he does not know how it will be heated at this time, but perhaps a kerosene heater will be used. Mr. Russell said he would like to see about hooking up to a power grid at some point. Mr. John Pfaltz, 1503 Rugby Avenue, said this is an interesting proposal, but he was thinking about the price as compared to booths at Fashion Square Mall. As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. On motion by Mr. Caravati, seconded by Ms. Hamilton, the ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE LEASE OF APPROXIMATELY 300 SQUARE FEET OF REAL PROPERTY ON THE DOWNTOWN MALL IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO SECOND STREET, WEST, FOR USE AS A NEWSSTAND" was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. Mr. Lynch said he is concerned about what is the appropriate price. He said he wished he could have gotten in on the new proposal for the existing kiosk. He asked how we can make sure this stand does not end up being something like an ice cream stand. APPEAL: BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW DECISION RE: DEMOLITION AT 4TM STREET, S.W. Ms. Mary Joy Scala, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, explained that Piedmont Housing Alliance is appealing the Board of Architectural Review's denial of a request to demolish the Smith Reeves House on 4th Street, S.W. by a 4-3-1 vote. She said the house is 140 years old and is individually protected. She said Council can uphold or overturn the BAR's decision. If the decision is upheld, the applicant can go to the Circuit Court. Ms. Scala said that staff recommend that this issue be deferred so that moving the house, adding onto it, or rehabilitating it can be explored with the BAR.