I would like to call to order the Tuesday, July 1, 2025 meeting of the Mound Planning Commission. This is a regular meeting. Roll call, please.
Planning Commission Member Wallace, yes. Planning Commission M member Baker, here. Planning Commission Member Drew Heel here. Planning Commission Member Samantha Wacker here. Planning Commission Member Young here. Planning
Commission Chair David Good here. We have no amendments to the agenda. You have the agenda as submitted by Sarah by email. Are there any questions
regarding the agenda? Hearing none, the chair would entertain a motion to approve the agenda as distributed. Motion to approve as distributed. Second. We have a second discussion hearing. None. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Those opposed?
Nay. Motion carries. You have the June 3, 2025 regular meeting minutes also as part of the meeting packet. Does anyone anyone have any additions,
corrections, subtractions? Hearing none, the chair would entertain a motion to approve the June 3, 2025 regular meeting minutes. Motion to minutes as distributed. Second. We have a motion in a second. Discussion
hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Those opposed nay. Motion carries. Moving on. Board of adjustment and appeals planning case 25-06.
Substantially similar use determination. Miss Sarah. Interesting. I like this. Good evening uh members of the planning commission uh applicant and guests. My name is Sarah Smith. I'm the development
director for the city and I was the principal writer um of the uh planning report uh that we're going to review this evening uh related to a request that we've received from Molly Williams
uh requesting a substantial use determination for a portion of the property at 2378 Wilshire Boulevard. on the overhead uh is a map uh that shows the location of the building
and the property. And I'm just going to get everybody acclimated. Uh this is Wilshire Boulevard. This is Maywood Road. This is uh where we are right now. actually we're back here, but this is the public services building. Uh the
building on the property sits nestled up to the west side of the property abudding Wilshire Boulevard and the back of the property is uh basically has uh the majority of its frontage on Maywood uh and is generally encompassed by a
parking lot uh that was constructed around the time uh the building uh was constructed uh back in the day. Um, Miss Williams is proposing to reuse that existing building. Um, it's been vacant
uh for a couple of years and the proposed use is office. Generally, um, offices are listed as a permitted use in the mixeduse district. Um, generally speaking, the existing office configuration
um, in the front of the building is going to be same similar as to what we see now. Um, however, they are proposing um some what I call flex space uh in the the eastern part of the building that would allow for some community uh and uh
corporate special events, community space that could be used by members of the community, local businesses, individuals for for a purpose of gathering for a specific purpose. Um that's really why we are here this evening. uh because while it is a
similar use to an office, it's not listed as an office type of use. I think this is kind of a new thing where you're seeing a lot of the corporate and office buildings becoming more multi-use. Folks maybe are not working uh specifically in
the office might be working at home and might entertain use of space within other other buildings or other locations. In this case, I think the the pro the program is somewhat similar to that, but they also want to have that opportunity that they want to host um a
little bit larger event in that flex space um for corporate or organization or community that that would be uh allowed within that building. Um, as I've said, while that's not specifically included in the definition for office,
we do see those uses in other types of buildings or properties that are in the mixed use. Specifically, we often see meeting space in restaurants, those are permitted uses, private lodges and club, we often see community space, public
buildings and institutional type buildings, we see community space. So, we see this as as a a similar use, just happens to be in an office type of environment. Um, Miss Williams uh is proposing to purchase the building from
the current owner, uh, Ray Ellis, uh, in in his corporate Ellis properties and is proposing to do some interior and some exterior remodeling. I won't get into a lot of those details um uh because she our our applicant is here and I think
she'll kind of want to walk through with you what her plans are. We did include in the staff report just kind of a general summary of the type of space that they're contemplating. Um basically office um meeting space um space that
accommodates networking type of of events improved technology consulting rooms areas where groups could converse um that sort of thing. But again there would also be that opportunity that a larger group could utilize uh the the
larger portion of the building and utilize um some of the spaces within the building. Just be a moment as I scroll down here for a moment. Uh the graphic on the overhead uh was supplied uh by Miss Williams and it
shows uh the current configuration um and proposed location of the office space that is included in the building um and what that current layout. And so you see that the west side is basically offices of different sizes, bathrooms,
kitchen facilities um and various meeting rooms etc. And as you can see, kind of the area that's a little bit larger when it talks about flexible um corporate working space. That's the area that we're looking at now that could be multi-used um not only for networking
events but um for other types of purpose uh that that may come up for groups, organizations, uh companies, etc. Um, uh, Miss Williams also provided just a possible general layout of what that of what that
building could look like. Bear with me here. Bear with me. I need to turn this m so bear with me two more times. Um this is kind of a I think a larger um uh concept of what that flex area could look like. As you
can see, uh general areas of seating, tables that could be utilized for different types of endeavors, activities. Um they are looking at um improved technology uh in the buildings um screens, Wi-Fi, all those types of
things that enable activities to take place not only um socially but also electronically to assist with meeting events and also um activities that relate to uh the need for those types of endeavors. Um they're also looking at um
some site improvements uh outside. Um improving their landscaping, some bike racks, I think some tables in the back. Um uh some uh cleanup of the general uh parking lot area is is contemplated as
well. Um it is note that there is an existing uh fence that I think borders uh the adjacent properties to the um to the north that is in some need of some repair. And we do have a requirement in
our code that says that um commercial uses that are adjacent to residentially zoned properties are required to have a fence. And so that fence will need to be repaired, replaced so that it is in keeping the appropriate boundary between
the corporate um the office building and the the neighbors to the north as well. And that's in the code. Um we have recommended uh approval of this uh and we've included conditions and findings
in our report. Um what this evaluation does is what it says in our code is that unless that use is specifically addressed, um it's not allowed. And so what folks do is when we when we see these types of requests, they're looking at other uses
that are similar or have similar uses within those building. And that's why we're here this evening. I think that the important thing to remember is that the office use, which is the primary use, is permitted. It's this it's this unique and probably very progressive flex area that you can use for a lot of
different things isn't isn't encapsulated in the office definition and maybe that's something that we need to take a look at. I don't think it's contrary to what we're seeing out in the field um with changing business models and how people work etc etc. So we have
supported uh their request uh for this allowed use of incorporating networking and meeting space in that east half of the building. Um the applicant also provided some uhformational data on hours primarily. This is going to be a
daytime use 8 to 6. So we're not going to see a lot of nighttime. Um they have indicated that as part of their business uh program that they may offer some uh special events that could scooch outside, you know, maybe a food truck here and there. And that that's also
allowed by the code um for a private event that's catered and specifically for that pride of pride uh that type of event. Um I will happy I'll be happy to answer any questions. I know Maui probably has some information she'd like
to share about timing and what her plans are and you know maybe a little more detail about architectural changes and and we may have some questions from some guests. So I'll stand for questions when ready. Okay. Uh questions or comments for
Sarah? I only had one question was I assume given the size of the parking lot there's no issue with parking. That's the zoning for Yeah, that is a very very very big parking lot and we haven't done the parking calc yet. Um until the
breakout, but what the code also says is that unless there's an intensification of the building, you don't trigger more parking. Um but I don't anticipate that there's a that there's a parking shortage based on what we're seeing for the use. But that will be part of our process as we go. Okay. And there was
another graphic I just wanted to share because I think and again this isn't specific for this project, but I Molly did provide some what I thought were some interesting um concept photos of what of what that space could look like. Yeah.
In a typical day. And and I thought that was that was kind of nice to share because it gives it gives one a flavor of what of what it could operate and look like within that portion of the building. So question, I know this is across the street from an elementary school. Maybe
this is out of our purview. What about alcohol license, things like that? Is that within our purview or something? The pro the property is not eligible for a liquor license because of um you have to be a restaurant to get a liquor license. Okay. Um,
uh, if there was alcohol to be provided as part of a like a like an outdoor activity, they would have to procure a a a temporary 1 to 4 day liquor license like all the special events do, right? And or hire a caterer that has those
licenses, but you can't dispense liquor out of the building. Okay? So, it's just not eligible for the mountain. doesn't mean they can't if they can get a temporary permit with a sponsor, which has to be a 501c3, or if the catering license would allow for that. Okay.
Thank you. Thank you. Do further questions? Yeah, I do have a question. Um, do we do we know capacity for special events at this point or is that something to come that that will be worked out in in cooperation with what
their final site plan is? Um and we we had a meeting with the building official and the fire fire chief and public works to kind of talk through some of those things. The the capacity for the building will be determined based on their layout and seating about how many they can have and it has to meet those
numbers. Okay. For space and I think they indicate I thought they said that would be an assembly type of environment. No different than when other buildings are evaluated for how many seats that they can have. Right. Right.
Further questions or comments for Sarah? Okay. Thank you. Hearing none. Ms. Williams, would you like to address the commission? Sure. Our custom is uh you state your name and your address, please. Okay. My name is
Molly Williams. My address is 5075 Windsor Road Mound. Um, I live by Alan Elmas. Um, I am a local mom business owner. Um, my current business is called The Optimists. It's a
travel agency. Uh, we specialize in booking and managing travel for large entertainment groups on tour. Um, so I used to be a tour manager and a road manager on the road for many years. Um, and moved here in 2014 when I had a baby. Um, so my current business has an
office in the Lost Lake office building um on Commerce and I've been renting there since 2017. Um, my business has 13 employees, but all of them are remote, so nobody else works here with me. Um, I have a six-year-old son who'll be in first
grade at Shirley Hills and 11-year-old son that'll be in sixth grade at the middle school. Um, and I've just driven by this building, you know, five times a day for the last 14 years. Um so yeah, Sarah gave a very excellent description
of what we're looking to do. Um the idea is that the building would be called the bright spot. Um sort of by the optimists. So it's sort of an extension of my existing business. Um sort of a bright spot in your day, somewhere to go connect, collaborate um with community
peers, and be able to work um outside of your home. as well as several like monthly office rentals. Um, so my current business would be like the primary tenant in the large corner office of the building. Um, and then I
would look to lease probably five of the other rooms, you know, on a annual monthly basis to businesses similar to mine. Um, and then utilize the larger space as flex working space. Um you could have we'll have some dedicated
desks, you know, different levels of privacy. Um some just more open plan. You could get a day pass so anybody, you know, sort of an easy uh barrier to entry, $35, get a key code, whatnot, go over and
work there. Um and then um yeah, so I am in a purchase agreement with Ray Ellis. Um the due diligence period ended yesterday and I am moving forward. So um you know we know we want to do the
office part the events part is a bonus. So hopefully we can do that. Um the idea would be like Sarah mentioned but you know we can wants to do something or um association you know club sports association
meetings want to use a space um networking events some of the kind of classes of makers and teachers that do um like community ed classes that we often take in the small boardroom at the whack. those kind of things. Just a lot
of as well as, you know, possibly anniversary party or um graduation party, those kind of TBD, you know, seeing how the space um lays out with the renovations and whatnot. Um so that's kind of the concept. I feel like
I've gone to a lot of events at the Peak Event Center in Excelsier and I'd love to see more of that stay in mound. Um they just also happen to be a travel agency that owns their building. Um but you know different vibes than their building. Um
but yeah so I mean the renovation plan it's you know we're you we're keeping the building primarily as it is. I'd say the biggest change is adding 10 windows into the east part of the building because there's no east facing windows
there and that will be the front. So the parking lot will be the front entrance. Um, so I mean I don't know if we want to go back to it, but anyway, um, putting so putting windows into that space. Um, sealing and painting the parking lot is
a big piece of it obviously to get it to code and ADA. Um, and then uh, it's basically flooring, walls, and um, lighting. So, replacing the existing lighting with LED lighting, replacing
the plumbing with low flow plumbing, getting the bathrooms and the kitchenet up to code um for ADA, but keeping you know the bones of it all the way it is. Um and then the one other primary construction piece is adding a wall. Um
can I go back on this? Sure. Let's see here. It's 13. Um, so, um, if you see here, I'm just looking at cutting off. So, this is like this is where the delivery
door is that faces the salt cave and rum jungle. So, I I'm wanting to put a wall in here just to make the room a little bit smaller because it is enormous. Um, and then that would be kind of like a backstage. So,
deliveries, mail, um, supplies and whatnot. So, making the big room a little bit more intimate. Um, the idea here is like built-in booths. So, some different style of, you know, two to four person seating. Um, this is like the concept for the 15 person um,
boardroom, conference room. And then this would be like a built-in bette with movable tables. Um, so you could, you know, take meals there. would be good for gatherings. And then this is um like a coffee bar. So utilizing the existing
location of the water in the building and just adding like a you know small fridge, coffee, sink and dishwasher. Um and then all this would just be a mix use flexible, easily movable couches, tables, um different style tables. This
is kind of more like the private um private desks and then so you kind of see the windows cut out here. Um so that's the What kind of time frame are you looking at here do you think? Uh looking to
close on July 10th with Ry and then um get the contractor started right away. So starting construction in August ideally. Okay. So opening early 26. Early 26. Yeah. Probably factor in, you
know, six months for construction. So probably what is that? August, September, October, November, December. Probably open February. Yeah. Sounds good to me. So when you talk about upgraded technology, I think
Sarah, you said that a couple of times. What What are you What are you talking about there? Uh primarily just screens and like HDMI cable use in the conference room, the conversation area. Um probably in the main room, you know,
so you could have presentations in there for a large group. Um similar to like what they can do at the Gillespie Center. So just screens and monitors and Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi. I'm sorry. I'm going to assume there's no asbestous in this. No.
Okay. Yeah. all the um inspections, the inspector gave it two thumbs up. Um tested for moisture, found no evidence of it, just basically cracks that need to be sealed by the exterior paint painter. Um and they did not test for
radon because they said it's very uncommon in a singlestory unit and it's very involved. And we've had surveys that have said we don't need um a further um whatever that's called level
one. Yeah. There's not any concern. Okay. Thank you. Mhm. Is the color of the building going to change? Um not probably not. I paint it cream but may add some color to the
parking lot side of it. Yeah. Okay, further questions for Ms. Williams. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Molly. Are there others in the audience who'd like to address the commission regarding this uh planning case?
Yes, sir. My name is Paul Bab. I live at 5259 Eden Road on the property to the north expenses. Uh my concern was the fence. It's in need of repair and for privacy, but you kind of answer
my question. That is code. So, thanks for your easy peasy. It's in the plan. Okay. Thank you. All right. further discussion
by the commission regarding this planning case. I think it's fantastic. I mean, to take an old building and and put it to such a great use. I mean, what a great thing, right, for our community. I agree 100%.
That's that's why we're here to support innovative uses of our buildings. Make sure you Exactly. Absolutely agree. So, yep. I think Mountain can use this. Absolutely. Keep people here, right? Yeah, I've attended a couple of funeral receptions
at the peak excelsier. Um, and it was very comfortable, very accessible. Is that the type of event? I guess I don't have an idea of what is it going to be sort of upscale for that type of an
event? Um, yeah. I mean, it'll be modern and somewhat colorful, you know, compared to Peak, which is mostly wood and, you know, open. Um, so I hadn't thought about funerals, but um it wasn't
a funeral. It was a reception. Yeah. Celebration of life. Um, yeah, I mean, I would Oh, I see. need to move the mobile desks, you know. Um but yeah, kind of gathering of it was
catered. Catered. Yeah. Yeah. And I guess I didn't mention in the big area, we're pulling down the drop ceiling to expose and then paint most of them the duct work. So that'll gain like 4
feet in the large room. Um, so hopefully um, and then there'll also be seating on the outside facing the parking lot. So like some kind of cafe tables and chairs on that side, which I think would be nice if you have people gathering that
can go in and out. Um, so yeah, I guess I'm just saying don't limit yourself, right? There's an opportunity. A lot of needs here. Thank you. Yeah. Yeah, my company has something similar
to this and it's always full. So, it's always full. Price it right, people going to come. Yeah, that's the plan. How do you envision the payment side of it? Like if somebody wanted would they work with you directly? Will you have a website where somebody can go and
reserve space? Yeah, it'll be all online booking booking tool. Okay. Okay. Okay. And are you imposing like an age for it? I mean 18 and up or I mean do you envision it how do you envision the space for youth activities or if
there's a need for mentorship programs that bring in youth about that, you know, collaborating with the high school on work study. I mean that's kind of down the road, you know, how to figure that out. Um I I don't know. I guess hadn't thought
about an age limit. 18 probably not really wanting to create like a study hall, you know, definitely keep it um professional for people that work there on a daily basis.
That's a goodation. Further questions or comments? Okay. hearing none. On page five and six of your materials, you find that staff is recommending that the planning commission recommended
the city council approval of planning case number 256 with two findings and four conditions. I will make a motion to approve planning case 256 for the substantially similar use
determination for 2378 Willsh Boulevard including findings of fact one and two page five and conditions one through four on page six. We have a motion. Do we have a second? A second. We have a second discussion hearing none. All those in favor signify
by saying I. I. Those opposed nay. Motion carries. Thanks Paulie. Yeah, thanks. Thanks for doing that. Thank you for coming. Advance this to next Tuesday. Okay. So, that meeting is service provider. Now, it's still good to come in. Yeah. And it is also at six
in the same room. In the same room, same channel. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, moving on. Uh 2025 planning commission. Amazing.
We're happy to have you. Thank you. 2025 planning commission term expirations. Yes, we have uh one of the things we had talked about um at our joint meeting is to let folks know earlier um and so we
have um the terms of Miss Wallace and Miss Young uh are done at the end of the year. you were a two-year and you were a year I think and then we have the open vacant seat also
is up for reappointment or uh I think one of the the discussion is is the number of the commission is it going to stay is it going to get skinny is it anyway um and as our as we talked with the planning commission and the council workshop the council wants to um
evaluate its appointment procedures and so um that that has started uh at the staff level. Um and then so we'll just see where that takes us. But um for those for Miss Young and and Miss
Wallace, if you have interest in reappoint um reach out and then we'll forward the we'll forward the current form that we have now. And um hopefully you'll stay with us and um and we'll get that into the hands of the city manager. But I
don't have any further information on that short of that's just something that the council wants to look at in in mass for how they interview their candidates. And so it sounds like they wanted to take that responsibility on. So question for Sarah about this and I'll
keep you posted as I know more. Okay. Um council member Mcani is not here. Do you have anything to report from the city council standpoint? Um what do I have from city council? They are they'll be
working starting work on budget soon. Um they are also uh busy with um activities and projects and those types of things. Uh um special events. We've got Spirit of the Lakes coming up in a couple
weeks. That's super exciting. Um, I was not at the last council meeting, so I don't I don't have um a lot of detail, but I know they talked a lot about uh Lost Lake Park or Lost Lake Commons Park in terms of how that's moving along. Um, that's the that's the new open space
green space park that's right next to our Tessa. Um, uh, stuff that's happening. We ant we're anticipating receipt of updated applications for Holstead Point, which is now called North Point. We haven't
seen them yet, but I anticipate them forthcoming soon. Um I would anticipate that if they do come in soon that that could be on our agenda um for the rescheduled meeting in August, which I think is the 19th. Remember that we do
not meet um on the first Tuesday in August because that's night to unite. That was rescheduled early on in the year. So our meeting next um regular meeting is a next scheduled special meeting is the 19th unless something
would come ahead of that. So but that's that's our next one as of right now. Okay. Any other comments from your standpoint? I have that's all I have. We're just busy busy. Can I have a question to Sarah? Certainly. Um so one
of the things I think was on our work plan or whatever is to look at the ordinances for um what you can have in your yard. I mean and I was wondering when that might
I mean when would we start maybe having those conversations? Is that I don't have a date for soon, I would hope. Okay. Um that's in collaboration with some with the field officer and probably our attorney as well. Okay. Um our our schedule just hasn't gotten that into
the queue yet, but but it is on it is on our list. On our list for this year. Yeah. For this year if we can make it. Yep. Gotcha. Okay. Further questions or comments for Sarah? What about the library? Um the
library um we have building permit application that was delivered um that is being reviewed. Um the our understanding is they want to start work at the end of end of July. Um they are also working on getting their temporary drop off
location set up here at city hall. So they've been with us for a couple of weeks. Um so we're they are moving forward with their project which is exciting. Now, we're just depths up to our eyeball in the in the detail plans to to to look at what was approved
versus what we got to make sure everything kind of ties together. And um so we're hopefully getting a meeting scheduled here shortly, but the application came in. We've had it about 10 days plus or minus, but it's it's a very very big packet. It isn't like a deck, so everybody got everybody got
some time to look at it. So, further questions? Okay, I see we have no information items. If we have no further questions or comments, chair would entertain a motion to adjurnn.
Motion to adjurnn. We have a motion. Second. We have a second discussion. 635. Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Those oppos. Motion carries. Thank you for coming. Thank you everybody. Have a safe and
happy 4th of July.