Before the first reading of Ordinance 1998-9-2, Mr. Celarek wanted Mr. John Niehaus, of Parsons, Brickerhoff, to review changes to the traffic study conducted for the stretch of Thomas More Parkway between Centreview Blvd. and Turkeyfoot Rd. Mr. Niehaus started with a traffic flow change to access point A (the Quast building). The numbers should read as projected with full development in the area at 163 cars per hour during peak hours, 119 of which would be exiting. There were other numeric changes made on page 5 of the report. (see file on traffic study for full report) On page 14, the five recommendations were discussed, those being:

Mr. Niehaus clarified some of the points for council members. Mr. Laird questioned why signalization was not recommended for access A. He felt it would be cheaper to anticipate the need for a light there and put it in now while also installing the signal at access C. He also inquired about the service road. Mr. Niehaus replied that signalization was not necessary at this time at access A, although it is a point at which that need will be carefully monitored. The service road is in the plans in theory by way of traffic flowing through the parking lots of the project at access B and 3A. Much discussion ensued as to the reality of the practicality of that recommendation.

The discussion then moved to what ramifications changing the zoning definition for hotels would bring and what the fire regulations on such are at this time. Mr. Laird made the point that he was very close to voting no on this, however council concurred to regarding this as first reading on Ordinance 1998-9-2, which would change the definition of a hotel to allow cooking facilities.

Mr. Meier began discussion of a major change to the Stage I development plan for Thomas More Centre in RP-1 zone by recalling the history of the project. In 1994, there was recommended a service road from access A to access C (being Centreview Blvd.) from the Economic Development committee and NKAPC staff after downsizing the lots in Thomas More Centre. He then reviewed recent recommendations made by Mr. Niehaus’ traffic study. Mr. Laird recalled that the late Leo Oppenheimer (former and longtime councilman) was very adamant about a service road connecting those lots. Mike Hargis [Hemmer Co.] interjected that originally four lots or two to four acres each was purchased from Thomas More College onto which a restaurant, convention center and hotel was to be built. In the original plans, a curb cut was requested across from Four Seasons Sports Club, which was denied. City Council [in 1994] suggested dividing the lots into smaller parcels and connecting them all by a service road to Centreview Blvd. If a large development were to present itself, Hemmer Co. could return to council and ask again for a curb cut across from Four Seasons. The problem with a service road would be that it would kill the Marriott extended stay hotel project and make those smaller lots undesirable for other projects. Mr. Maloney and Mr. Hargis discussed at length the original plans versus the current proposal and council’s and Hemmer Co.’s thoughts about each.

Mr. Meier noted that stage I plans are not usually cast in concrete but according to NKAPC when a change is made to property lines, that usually denotes a major change.

Mr. Maloney felt that having traffic flow through parking lots would be hazardous regardless of numbers at this time. With full development in the Research Park, the potential for problems would be great. Also, he felt the City should not bear the entire burden of signalization at access A, should that become an issue. Mr. Laird wanted Mr. Berling to come back to council next month with his recommendations referencing the service road, curb cuts and signalization at access A.

Mark Roebker from Four Seasons reviewed his interpretation of the recommendations as given by Mr. Niehaus and stated that he could support signalization at access A & C but no curb cut at B.

Mr. Sommerkamp wanted to know if the signalization at access C would give enough gap in traffic flow on Thomas More Parkway to possibly disallow another signal. Mr. Niehaus felt that it would not.

Dr. David Quast pointed out that Mr. Niehaus and NKAPC have a difference in opinion about signalization of access A. Dr. Quast felt that all the other access points on Thomas More Parkway, including the college, would have better traffic coordination than would his building and that the current recommendations benefit Marriott and Hemmer Co.

The Mayor ended discussion by declaring that unless there were any objections, this would be considered first reading of Ordinance 1998-9-3 and Mr. Berling would return next month with his recommendations as well as those of the Economic Development committee.

Mr. Celarek commented that the attorney for Marriott NGH was appealing the decision that their recent plans submitted were new plans as opposed to a minor change in site plans. The Board of Adjustments will meet again and make a formal recommendation when Marriott sends complete plans. Summit Lakes residents have sent letters voicing their opinion on the project.

Mr. Laird noted that the finance committee met yesterday, reviewed the calculations and recommend first reading of the ordinance holding the same rate as last year, .1525. There was no opposition.