February 2024 Minutes

BNCA Meeting Minutes
February 20, 2024
Zoom Virtual Meeting

Treasurer’s Report – Joe Miller, Treasurer

• Jan 2024 report
  • +348.47 – dues and donations
  • -10 – webservices
  • -250 in donations
  • Ending balance = $6,811.89
• Vote to approve:
  • Motion: Ed Kent;
  • Second: Renee McCray

700 Monroe St NE Presentation – John Oliver, Holland & Knight rep

• The Bennet Corporation is property owner of 700 Monroe St NE
• Property is 18k sq. ft bounded mostly by private property
• 701 Michigan adjacent to lot is MU2
  • Directly north property
• Current zoning not consistent with the zoning for future land use map
• This property should also be MU2 under the future land use map
• MU2 zone intended to permit medium density development
• Developer following up with civic organizations in the area and issuing required notices to residents
• Comments/Questions from community:
  • Is the FAR the permissible footprint? It factors into the footprint. Development constraints such as yard set-backs also factor
  • What is maximum density under current zoning? MU3A currently; Update would increase FAR by about 5.7
  • Is this currently Bennet Career Academy? Correct
  • What is proposed to be built on the site? Build out is not yet planned, but rezoning of northern adjacent property made owners decide to pursue opportunity.
    • Any building would likely be retail ground floor with multi-family housing above
  • Is the purpose of the rezoning to follow up with large residential units? The building would include residential units
  • Can you identify the African-American owned firms associated with the project? No plan for project, therefore unknown
  • Why does the FAR on the site need to be increased? It will be increased through rezoning process which will bring it in line with the future land use map for the city
  • Will the Bennett corporation sell the site? There are no current plans to sell the site
  • Would curb cuts be eliminated? There appears to be a curb cut on 7th st. DDOT current vision is to have no more curb cuts in the city. Since there is no plan for the property there are no plans for curb changes
• Unease with the idea a map amendment can be proposed with no plan for the site
• Community would prefer more information about plan and partners involved

BCNA Officer Elections

• Steve Farole – President
• Caroline Petti running for VP
• Ed Kent – Treasurer
• Kathy Jacquart – Secretary
• Fred Jackson – Member-at-Large
• Rene McCray – Membership Director
• Elise Scott – Communications Director

• Motion to vote on slate: Ra AminS
  • Second: Dan Schramm
  • No oppositions
  • Motion passed