We, the undersigned, support the proposed land use and zoning applications (PB-20-00141 and PB-20-00142) for the property that formerly housed the St. Michael’s church at the intersection of NW 43rd St. and NW 23rd Ave. The applicant has committed the time and interest to meet with several of the neighbors and affected parties in order to mutually draft a list of criteria into the development proposal. This collaboration has produced an application that offers the greatest protections and potential for the neighborhood that we have seen to date. We support the application for the following reasons:

1. The application protects the existing conservation area. It includes no loss of conservation land, and the applicant has identified land that will more than offset their driveway. In addition, the applicant has created a conservation easement document that will add protections to the property in perpetuity that are not currently present.
2. The application for a Planned Use District (PUD) land use allows the most specificity and rigidity available to protect the neighborhood’s interests from being removed by any future land holders. The allowable usage of every square foot of the property is strictly defined in a way that is not currently present or achievable under any other land use designation. Any attempt by this or any future owner to change any portion of the PUD will receive the notice and vetting of affected parties and the City.
3. The criteria included in the PUD application strictly define the aesthetic and curbside appeal of the property. The current state of the property reflects that the owner has lost interest in the maintenance or aesthetics of the neighborhood, and the property needs a new owner that will develop in a way that allows it to become attractive once again and financially sustainable.
4. This applicant is excited and committed to working with the City and County to provide traffic mitigation measures to the neighborhood at their own expense. This developer has shown a commitment to these shared interests that was lacking in all previous development proposals.
5. This application differs from previous efforts to develop the property because it includes changes to address neighborhood concerns. The applicant has taken the time to meet with willing participants and engaged in good faith discussions. Buildings, and their associated parking spaces, were removed from their previous site development plans. Drive-through services were limited to one. Additionally, they have agreed to include language about allowable types of businesses, locations of higher use businesses, architectural style, roof profile, and how to treat the conservation site.