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31 <br /> <br />continued that he thinks the safety issues can be addressed and pollution minimized by <br />restricting the types of vehicles. Mr. Vandever stated that he thinks supporting the crossing <br />is part of guaranteeing the mall's long-term success. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards stated that he appreciates the public's participation in the issue. Rev. <br />Edwards stated that he thinks the mall needs a more comprehensive approach than just the <br />mall crossing to be more successful, such as changing the name of the mall to something such <br />as "Jefferson Village." Rev. Edwards stated that he would prefer to see the impact of <br />two-waying Water Street as well as approval oftwo-waying Market Street before allowing <br />the crossing. Rev. Edwards stated that he does not think development should drive the <br />Comprehensive Plan, but the Comprehensive Plan should drive development, and while <br />economic development is included in the Plan, crossing the mall is not. Rev. Edwards stated <br />that he thinks the Comprehensive Plan should be amended if the mall crossing is allowed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that he realizes that people will disagree on how to best ensure the <br />vitality of the mall, noting that the City has invested in the malt's success by retaining the <br />Michie Company (and agreeing to build the access from the Michie Company to the mall, <br />which was a "deal breaker" for that project), building the Water Street parking garage, <br />making improvements on 3rd Street from the parking garage to the mall, improving signage, <br />and two-waying Water Street. Mr. Toscano stated that private partners are needed to keep <br />the mall and City vibrant and to help meet the many financial needs of the City. Mr. Toscano <br />stated that it is the Councffs responsibility to strike a balance between maintaining the secure <br />park-like aspect of the mall and improving the more tenuous retail environment of the mall. <br />Mr. Toscano noted that it is expensive to maintaining the mall's infrastructure. Mr. Toscano <br />stated that he did not think crossing the mall would be harmful to the park-like environment <br />but would help the economics of the mall. Mr. Toscano stated that approval of the crossing <br />was not a "done deal." Mr. Toscano stated that Council has heard the critics of the crossing <br />who have raised important issues to be considered. Mr. Toscano added that allowing the <br />crossing will create the opportunity for the theater and skating fink, but stressed that <br />development by both of those projects will be done by the private sector. <br /> Ms. Daugherty made a motion to approve the resolution allowing vehicular crossing of <br />the mall at 2nd Street and Ms. Slaughter seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever recommended that the sentence making the crossing subject to <br />development of the theater be omitted and dealt with separately as a condition for approval. <br />Ms. Daugherty and Ms. Slaughter accepted Mr. Vandever's amendment. <br /> <br /> The resolution was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Ms. Daughe~y, Ms. <br />Slaughter, Mr. Toscano, Mr. Vandever. Noes: Rev. Edwards. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter made the following suggestions for conditions of allowing the crossing <br />of the mall: 1) traffic should be one-way going north; 2) drop-offand pick-up of passengers <br />should not be allowed on the mall, but on the side streets and the existing number of <br />handicapped parking spaces should be maintained; 3) pedestrian crossing should be funneled <br />to the middle of the mall; 4) the crossing should be allowed at all hours, but only to cars, not <br />buses or trucks. <br /> <br />Mr. Vandever stated that he would like to see JAUNT vans be able to cross the mall. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter continued with recommended conditions: 5) the Board of Architectural <br />Review should review all signs, street furniture and other items needed for crossing; 6) <br />Council should review the crossing within a two-year time period. Ms. Slaughter stated that <br />she thinks the cost of the crossing should be borne by the developer of the theater, noting <br />that while the crossing will benefit the entire mall, it will directly benefit the theater. Ms. <br />Slaughter requested that staff provide a recommendation regarding needed signalization and <br />signs for the crossing. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty stated that she would prefer to consider other cost sharing options, <br />perhaps exploring having adjacent property owners share the cost for the crossing since she <br />thinks the crossing is justified on its own regardless of the theater. <br /> <br /> <br />