[Vision2020] Council items

[Bill London]

J-
First, my thanks for both raising these issues and for directly addressing V2020.

Regarding the "big-box" stores: due to their inherent huge impact on the economic and social fabric of a town the size of Moscow, I think it is entirely appropriate for the council to create standards for those giant projects and insure that there is an opportunity for the public to discuss the impact (the alternative is the feeling of helplessness that Pullman residents now face regarding their Wal-Mart).  The creation of those standards should include public input.  In the meantime, as those standards are developed, yes, I think a conditional use hearing process is a good stop-gap measure.

Regarding the Virtues Project: The mantra of public input is an empty slogan if there are no clear pathways that citizens wish to use to offer their opinions.  From my limited experience with the Virtues Project (talking with people who are supportive of its goals), it sounds like the project could become the nucleus for a system that actually does provide a way for citizens to feel empowered.  So, if the project can show broad support from community groups, I say give it some $ and see if it works
BL
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Dickinson 
  To: 'Vision2020' 
  Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 12:26 AM
  Subject: [Vision2020] Council items


  Visionaries-

  Here are a couple of items on Monday's council agenda that I'd like some comments on.



  9.   Large Scale Retail Development Regulations and Permit Process - Joel Plaskon

  Because of the possibility of large scale retail developments for Moscow, discussions have begun regarding development standards and process requirements regulating large scale retail developments.  The Moscow Zoning Code currently does not contain maximum floor area ratio (FAR) requirements, lot coverage requirements, or maximum building square footage limits.  With the national trend toward large retail warehouse-type stores and in light of Moscow's growth and economic climate, it is probable that Moscow will see such a development proposal in the future.  These types of developments, because of their large scale, have traffic, economic, and visual impacts which may be deserving of their own development criteria.  

   

  There are two questions that I'd ask everyone - 1) should there be separate development standards for stores above a certain size, and 2) if development standards are a good idea they may take a while to create, so as a stop gap measure should we modify our current process so that a public hearing is required for every application for a building above a certain size (one way to do this would be to require a conditional use permit for larger buildings)? 

   

  10.  Request for Funds for the Virtues Project - Dan Weaver

  The City of Moscow Human Rights Commission requests funding to support the Virtues Project. Current plans include having a working team established in June that includes community mentors and partners from within the community. Funding would pay for training for the mentors, material and other expenses associated with the Virtues Project.

   

  I am interested in hearing about your thoughts on the Virtues Project (http://www.virtuesproject.com/) There are modest costs associated with this program, but I am most interested in hearing comments about the value of the project itself. Thanks.

   

   

  John Dickinson
  Moscow City Council

   



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