BOHNER Rodney T <br />From: Paul Cziko <pcziko@gmail.com> <br />Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2021 9:27 AM <br />To: BOHNER Rodney T <br />Subject: N. Polk and Railroad Blvd rezone hearing <br />Dear Rodney, <br />I would like to submit my comments related to the proposed rezone of the 1400 Cross Street property from 1-2 to S-W. <br />Please add this to the record. <br />I generally support the addition of mixed-use and residential properties to the site if done thoughtfully. However, I have <br />several concerns: <br />The traffic study used to justify the zone change seems flawed, as we residents find that the traffic on Railroad blvd is <br />already near peak time saturation. The commercial/residential density allowed in the re-zone will only aggravate the <br />current circulation issues. North Polk and Cross Street/Place residents are often constrained in their ability to safely exit <br />our land-locked neighborhood onto Railroad Blvd by car or bike. One must also cross an unmarked crossing to access the <br />east-bound bus stop, which is dangerous. Traffic volumes on Railroad blvd, especially during peak hours, require a <br />lengthy wait when exiting from Cross Street or North Polk. The curve in the road additionally impedes visibility. In my <br />opinion, the area is already near traffic saturation during peak hours, a situation that will only worsen if additional <br />residential and commercial properties are developed. <br />The Whiteaker special area zone was developed to encourage the maintenance and further development of the unique <br />character of the neighborhood, including a mix of light industrial uses in addition to commercial and residential. Some of <br />the proposed uses allowed under the zone change would/could have dramatic impacts on neighborhood character, and, <br />given the steady loss of industrial properties, the current proposal may begin to shift the neighborhood away from the <br />character envisioned in the Whiteaker special area zone and the Whiteaker Plan. <br />There could be major impacts on neighborhood character, especially if the height of any new buildings are more than 2 <br />or 3 stories high. The zone change should require low (2-story max) buildings around the margins of the site to avoid <br />developing a lightless canyon on North Polk and Cross Street. Monolithic building facades (like the 13th and Olive <br />apartment development downtown) would additionally degrade our neighborhood character, and would be vehemently <br />opposed by the neighbors. <br />Our neighborhood is already overwhelmed with venues, bars and distilleries, some of which us residents frequent and <br />enjoy, but that nevertheless have relatively major impacts on neighborhood parking, noise, and livability (trash, <br />inebriated pedestrians, inebriated drivers). I would not support the addition of more alcohol-related venues at this site. <br />Given the nature of the site and its relation to Railroad Blvd, inebriated people exiting the site in vehicles would pose a <br />danger on Railroad Blvd where traffic speeds are often high and visibility is impaired due to the curve of the road. <br />We are missing essential businesses in the immediate area that are easily walkable for Whiteaker neighbors, such as a <br />hardware store, daycares, banks, post office/shipping services and health clinics. Additional alcohol-related venues may <br />preclude the development of these types of properties that benefit the local residents. Likewise for a monolithic <br />residential/apartment development that excludes essential commercial services. <br />If the zone change succeeds, the property owner should be encouraged to develop a project that encourages the <br />development of at least some residential properties that can be purchased (as opposed to only rental properties). A mix <br />