Downtown parking lot, demolition ordinance amendment drafted

By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer on Sep 9, 2013, at 2:21 AMUpdated on 9/09/13 at 2:59 AM

Under the proposal, a property owner wishing to turn land within the IDL into a surface parking lot would need approval from the Board of Adjustment.

Surface parking lots within the IDL would be allowed only as an accessory use and would have to be on the same property as the principle use.

Currently, a property owner is not required to provide an explanation for demolishing a structure.

The proposed ordinance change would allow demolition when a building is determined to be unsafe or the property owner can show the city that he has a construction permit and zoning approval to replace the demolished structure with a new building.

Otherwise, Board of Adjustment approval would be required before a demolition could take place.

To receive such approval, the property owner would have to show that the structure is of "no viable economic use" and that the owner has made all reasonable efforts to sell or lease the property to turn a profit.

The city's demolition requirements for the approximately 200 structures within the IDL that are on the National Historic Register of Places are the same as they are for any other building and would not change under the proposed ordinance changes.

"Maintaining continuity of the streetscape and having a pedestrian-oriented, vibrant downtown - that's the end goal" of the proposed ordinance change, said city Planning Director Dawn Warrick.

She said it makes sense for the Board of Adjustment to consider demolition applications because that is what it is set up to do - apply the city's zoning code on a case-by-case basis and provide relief where appropriate.

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Downtown parking lot, demolition ordinance amendment drafted