CR Zone and Staging

I spent from 9:30 until 1:10 today at the Council worksession on the CR zone and I really think they got nowhere. Councilmember Berliner is introducing an amendment on the Density Transfer which was my major concern. They will be meeting again next week in Executive session to discuss the legality issues with the zone, and then to discuss the zone and to vote on it. But nothing was decided today with lots of vague conversations about incentive densities and how do we know which incentive will be implemented. There was also a lot of discussion about whether or not they should use the TMX zone instead as the Zoning Rewrite Committee is still producing a report which will have many changes for the CR zone, or possibly use a unique CR zone for White Flint only.

This afternoon was the PHED Committee and they discussed staging, but didn't really agree to anything, except they seemed to agree on dropping Phase 4. The staff was pushing for mode share requirements for staging criteria rather than specific projects, even though some specific projects seemed to be okay if they were for "placemaking". Councilmember Floreen seemed to favor specific projects. Maybe they all agreed on the 2nd Metro entrance during Phase 2.

After the PHED Committee worksession, during conversation, it was suggested that they take the optional incentive densities from the CR zone (like green roofs) and put them in the White Flint Plan so we know they have a chance of being implemented.

Next week at the PHED Committee is financing followed by staging and supposedly the Plan also goes to the Council for discussion next week and the following week. Then we're done.

Some time ago I suggested that the process needed more time. I still feel that way if they are going to get a quality project.

Natalie