It may have been a record setting Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals meeting Tuesday night. Not only did the meeting last over two hours, the new Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall were overwhelmed with the number of citizens who came to listen or speak on the proposed variance requests. The room was at capacity and there were people standing in the hallway at the beginning of the meeting.
The majority of the crowd was there to learn more and give their comments on the City of Plymouth’s variance request to allow four single family townhouses in the parking lot in the 200 block of Water Street.
Habitat for Humanity of Marshall County had been asked by Bourbon and Argos to help find a way to build middle income, owner occupied single family houses to increase school enrollment, provide additional labor force and increase the community’s assessed valuation. While both communities each have three lots they can donate to the grant application, the grant writer said the project would have a better chance if there were at least ten homes in the project. Dean Byers and Brent Martin looked for a location in Plymouth and the Water Street parking lot was the only location they could find that would be able to donate the land which would meet the grant match requirement.
Prior to opening the public hearing, BZA member, Mark Gidley said he was informed that notice of the meeting did not meet the 10 days prior requirement. City Planning Consultant Ralph Booker said he sent the original notice on time but had the meeting scheduled for the 5th of February instead of March so he immediately sent a new notice but it was only 8 days prior to the meeting.
After some discussion it was decided to listen to those who had attended the meeting and then table any action until a special meeting with proper notification to those required could be done. The special meeting will be held on March 19th at 7:30.
More than a dozen people spoke during the public hearing with a majority of them opposing the plan.
Pat Knight who has lived in the 300 block of Water Street for 35 years said the proposed buildings would look great in Chicago or New York City but not in Plymouth. She wanted them to have front porches so neighbors could sit and talk to each other.
Nancy Ferris has owned the beauty shop on the north side of the proposed project for 34 years. She is worried about the reduction in parking and also looking out her front windows at a building instead of the sky and parking lot.
Dave Morrow, President of the Plymouth Park Board is opposed to the project and noted Phase III of River Park Square would include that entire block. While it could be 20 to 25 years off he said there is a plan already proposed for the area. He also spoke about the importance of parking especially during the evening concert events. Morrow also said he doesn’t agree with the city giving city property to a developer noting it’s unfair to businesses.
Dr. Joel Schumacher who operates his medical practice on East Washington Street was neutral on the project. He said his employees use the parking lot and he has some concern. He’s counted the parking spaces and done car counts. Schumacher said at the busiest times there are 25 to 30 cars in the lot. He said if the project moved forward he would want the city to repave the parking lot, stripe it and put lights up for security.
Marilyn Fortin told the Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals she is “angry” with the proposal and said, “They are proposing to squash an oversized building in a too small lot and take away vital parking spaces, yet making a need for at least 8 more parking spaces for the residents of the homes.” She also said they are “just ugly!”
After hearing from a number of residents, it seemed like the biggest majority of them were opposed to the project because of the reduction in parking spaces.
After allowing everyone the opportunity to express their thoughts and concerns the Plymouth BZA closed the public hearing and decided to continue the meeting on March 19th at 7:30 when they are expected to make a determination on the special use variance requested by the city to allow four townhouses in a downtown commercial zoning district.
