Following the Law?
At the first meeting, the developers asserted they had conformed to all of City Halls dimensional demands in configuring a five-story mixed-use project for the southwest corner of Duquesne Avenue and Culver Boulevard.
The ground-floor retail, they said, would be topped off by four floors of condos, numbering 23, which, the developers pointed out, was considerably under code.
Reason for the Delay
For a range of reasons from increased traffic to an outsized project, plus complaints that were elusive and inspecific, the Council postponed a binding decision.
Following Mayor Alan Corlins lead, the Council, after a very lengthy debate, agreed it needed to review the documents covering City Halls sale of the property last year to the Miller-Fekete team for $1.2 million.
Several additional issues may be in play on Monday.
One is Mr. Corlins general criticism of the developers for proposing a plan that required an unacceptably large number of code adjustments, called entitlements, in order to satisfy legal terms.
Two entitlements have been dropped by the developers, six remain.
Change Always Necessary?
Some of the City Councils objections were highly technical.
Since the property the city sold to the developers is comprised of multiple parcels, even if the developers built something as small as a dog house, final approval would have required code alteration.
By mere feet, the corner of Duquesne and Culver falls outside of the rules governing development in the Downtown area. That could be a sticking point.
A third factor is psychological.
Since the land in question has been an unadorned parking lot for the lifetime of most residents more than 60 years critics of the project may have difficulty envisioning any building there, a 5-story or even one much smaller.
Peeking into History
A verdict on 9900 Culver bounced over to the City Council a little more than two months after the Planning Commission universally rejected the project.
Going into the July 9 Council meeting, the Community Development staff elevated some eyebrows when it recommended overriding the Planners rejection and urged the plan be affirmed.
Making a Change
Going into Mondays meeting, the Community Development staff backed away from taking sides and assumed a neutral stance.
Their summation says: Staff recommends the City Council consider the additional information requested and the revised project plans that respond to City Council concerns.
Interpretations could go either way, said a City Hall watcher.
Tilting to the Middle
Otherwise, staffers merely listed the City Councils options, to grant the appeal or to deny the appeal.
This morning, the designers, sounding upbeat, promised they will be placing a substantially altered as in trimmed portrait before the Council.
Starting Over
We have gone back to the drawing board, said the 25-year-old Mr. Miller, one of two principals of Uptown Lofts LLC.
We have tightened it up.
Economically and structurally, Mr. Miller said, the project has been redesigned.
He and the Hungarian-born Ms. Fekete appear convinced their adaptations will not only satisfy but enthuse the judging panel.
Seeking a Convincing Win
We dont want to eke out a 3 to 2 victory, said Mr. Miller.
We have changed a lot. Because of those changes, this is a better project. Now I am satisfied it is one everybody can get behind.
Having conferred extensively with Sol Blumenfeld, the new Community Development Director, during the past 10 days, the Fekete-Miller team authorized the following adjustments:
Decreased the condo density from 23 units to 21.
Eliminated the request for pooled parking.
With a sidewalk café/arcade in mind, sidewalk seating was added, close to the corner of Duquesne and Culver.
Increased the retail square footage by 240.
Scaled back the roof on three sides, north, south and west. When you look up, Mr. Miller said, it now looks less massive.
Increased the rear setback at the top floor (in the direction of neighbors) by 10 feet, placing it 40 feet from the residential property line.
They did the same in front, facing Culver Boulevard, increasing the setback by 10 feet.
Eliminated a request for entitlement by increasing the subterranean driveway width to the code minimum of 27 feet.
The Final Score
At the last public hearing, only Vice Mayor Carol Gross stated flat approval of 9900 Culver. Among City Hall insiders at the weekend, the talk was that her side will prevail.
