From Alderman Arnett
Tonight a new approach to reviewing development projects will commence. The principles of the Eastport Shopping Center redevelopment will be meeting with representatives of the so called “Concerned Citizens” and City officials to review and discuss a potential change in the development plan and application to B2 Commercial Shopping Center rules rather than Special Mixed Plan Development rules. The part I like about this new approach in that it emulates the Code changes made last term to hold a concept meeting with the community before an application for development is made. The negotiation is nonbinding and may not yield any consensus, but I find it to be a step in the right direction as developers and residents try to find accommodations.
In other news, the Board of Appeals has agreed to reopen its hearing on the shared parking plan for Adam’s Ribs that was denied by the Planning Director. Planning denied on the basis that the parking management plan proposed was unworkable and that Fourth Street was already at parking saturation without the addition of a new restaurant. The outcome of this hearing will likely have ramifications on the proposed Brew Pub next door to the Adam’s Rib project, also on Fourth Street.
Both of these projects raise larger issues about Fourth Street and all of the new development we are seeing in Ward 8 and across the City – how do we manage parking and traffic in a City that is becoming more and more attractive for both visitors and businesses. The Fourth Street area and Eastport are already rich with dining and other business offerings, and it is nice to be able to walk from our homes to these places. The problem is that we often don’t walk and certainly visitors come by car. How do we enjoy the benefits of urban living and, at the same time, share our streets with others? Small scale and mostly quite Eastport is changing before our eyes. It certainly looks different even just from when I moved here 16 years ago. Is this progress or a problem?
On still other fronts, the controversy about Turner Park and dogs continues on. First there were complaints from nearby residents about unleashed dogs in the Park, Then an all-out ban on dogs in City Parks, and now push back from dog owners, that in my assessment has merit. I recognize that part of the City responsibility is to provide accommodation for all residents with as little impingement on others as possible.
I have been looking for suitable dog park locations elsewhere in Ward 8 – a site or more that would satisfy the needs of the dogs and their owners, but not impose on neighbors. A potential site is on the grounds of the Eastport Fire Station and discussions of that feasibility are ongoing. I have another, much bigger site in mind, but need to make more explorations to see if that will work. Meanwhile the status of Turner Park is still under consideration – stay tuned.
Finally, I am working on the results of your votes on my four year “To Do” list from the last Town Hall Meeting. The results are interesting and even a little bit surprising. I am crossing the vote on the “List” with the Quality of Life exercise we did a year ago. Those intersections are also revealing. I’ll get this out to you soon.
Ross
eastport defined 