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Planning Commission meets with new members
Illustrated in a planning document titled "Future Five," the planning guidelines for Five Points were up for a vote by the nine- member Planning Commission, six of whom were new. This was their first official Planning Commission meeting. Chip Land, director of planning for the city, read the meeting's agenda. Presenting to the commission were Lucinda Statler, urban design planner, and Krista Hampton, development center administrator. Also on the job for the city were Johnathan Chambers, deputy zoning administrator, and Marc Mylott, director of development services. According to Future Five, the six major master plan goals are: (1) Preserve unique identity. Maintain, promote, and enhance Five Points' unique village- like atmosphere that results from thriving small businesses and pedestrian- friendly developments.
(3) Promote mixed use. Improve the 24-hour activity and pedestrian focus of Five Points by establishing and promoting a healthy mix of commercial, office, and residential uses. (4) Elevate building character. Improve and enhance the character of existing buildings in order to provide improved visual vitality to Five Points. Encourage new buildings to respond to existing fabric in scale and texture. (5) Increase density. Create strategies to encourage and guide future infill development in Five Points to encourage more investment and a stronger urban fabric. (6) Foster diversity. Support and encourage a variety of businesses and the proper mix of merchants in order to maintain the healthy diversity currently seen in Five Points.
The city's planning staff had already reviewed the guidelines during six public meetings, all well attended due to staff efforts to get out the good word. Similar guidelines are expected to go into force on North Main, Devine, Millwood, and possibly elsewhere. The commission voted unanimously for the mixed- use district (MX- 1) text amendment, and the 5P (Five Points) Overlay District was approved. By a vote of 6- 3, the map amendment rezoning request was approved as presented. There was some discussion over whether lower Five Points could have the same 75- foot height potential, but the 50- foot limit held for lower Five Points. Columbia architect Doug Quackenbush came forward to congratulate the commission on its positive posture with Future Five.
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