VICTORIA COUNCIL TABLES MARY MEUWISSEN
WANTING MORE DETAILS ON CREAMERY SITE
Councilmembers split the vote 3-2 on December 14th to table a presentation of the downtown redevelopment project by Mary Meuwissen, recent four-term mayor of Victoria, currently with Counselor Realty offices in the Clocktower Building in Victoria and owner of the Creamery Building Site in Victoria.

Mary Meuwissen was requesting a conditional use permit as well as a vari-ance that would allow her to not strictly meet the city's current parking require-ments.  A shared parking ordinance, not yet approved by the Council, is being considered along with the Downtown Master Plan.
Mayor Jerry Bohn made a motion to table this agenda item "until the Down-town Master Plan is dealt with.  There's not enough detail here to move forward."
Stated Councilmember Richard Tied-en, "She's on the agenda to be heard and hasn't said a word yet."
Said Mary Meuwissen, "I did a pres-entation to the EDA before, not the Coun-cil.  This is the Council.  I have never heard of being on the agenda and not being allowed to speak."  The EDA is the Economic Development Authority, a separate entity which, in Victoria, consists of the five members of the Victoria City Council.
"We're not trying to be rude," said Mayor Jerry Bohn.  "This would be a waste of your time."
"I'm here for the height variance, not just the parking," said Mary Meuwissen.   "I know you might be frustrated," said Councilmember Terry Bishop.
Said Councilmember and Mayor-Elect Mary Thun, "She does have a busi-ness in this town.  We have an obligation to listen.  The plan is incomplete.  The TIF information is incomplete.  But I'd be willing to listen out of respect.  She has sat here all night, as we have."
Mary Meuwissen had sat in the audience with Barbara Zadeh, a member of her Counselor Realty team who is also named in the application, since 6:30 p.m., start time of the city council meeting, with presentation materials including easels and boards.  It was now almost 10:00 p.m.
Stated Mayor Bohn, "It's an incom-plete application.  We need an elevation so we know what we're looking at when you say there'll be a four-story building.  We need a complete project, not some sketches of what might be.  But I'd listen to a brief presentation."
Said Kim Roden, "I'd listen to a five-minute presentation."
Councilmember Tieden pointed out, "This is not just Mary Meuwissen in-volved.  There are others.  The whole town is involved with this, and people in the future.  She's asking to move along incrementally.  She's on the agenda.  If there's a problem with that, we better look internally.  I'd like to give her the bene-fit."
When the vote was taken, however, there was nothing left to say.  Those in favor of tabling the agenda item:  Mayor Bohn, Kim Roden, Terry Bishop.  Those in favor of hearing the presentation:  Mary Thun and Richard Tieden.
According to the agenda item in the council packet, as signed by Holly Kreft, the city's Director of Planning, "Mary Meuwissen and Barbara Zadeh have made application for the redevelopment of the former Creamery site
"The proposal includes two buildings - a multi-family residential structure for condominiums on the north side of the site with retail on the first floor, and an office/retail building on the south side of the site.  The residential structure is proposed to be three stories in height ... The plan indicates 63 parking spaces utilizing the underground parking garage and 36 spaces utilizing surface parking."
Staff had recommended approval of the conditional use permit for the multi-family structure and heights exceeding 35 feet with three conditions including the submission of detailed plans for the build-ings, underground parking, grading, and utilities prior to issuance of a building permit.
Staff also recommended tabling the variance request for parking until the Downtown Master Plan is approved.

Planning Consultant Mark Kaltsas had tried to present information regarding the Downtown Master Plan earlier that evening, but was also tabled.  The gist of his presentation was related to the rela-tionship between allowable square footage of new building space and the number of parking spaces that can be reasonably pro-vided in the downtown core area of Vic-toria.
Stated Kim Roden, "I got this materi-al late.  I can't imagine asking an intelli-gent question."  Her motion to table the issue passed 3-2.  She asked that the city administration not allow this to happen in the future. 
Clarified Mark Kaltsas, "This is com-ing before the council for your informa-tion tonight, but all of this information has been before the Planning Commission and council several times."
Replied Kim, "I disagree."
Those in favor of tabling:  Mayor Jerry Bohn, Kim Roden, Terry Bishop.  those in favor of hearing the presentation:  Mary Thun and Richard Tieden.

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