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Mr. Stephen MacGuidwin, 301 Far Hills Avenue, shared that he recently moved to Hatcher Hills. He came into the meeting with an open mind and he believes that in the course of hearing the plans that this could be the best commercial design, but he asked that the land be used instead to expand the residential area. He also requested that the signs not be illuminated.

There being no further public testimony offered, Mayor Duncan closed the public hearing and asked Jay Weiskircher to review the special use standards before City Council began its deliberations.

Mr. Weiskircher approached City Council and explained that all of the special uses either meet or exceed the nine special use standards. By a vote of 3-0, the Oakwood Planning Commission recommended approval of the change of use and proposed site plan for the 4.3 acre parcel with the condition that the proposed sign on the east side of the building not be illuminated.

Mayor Duncan called for a five minute recess due to the length of the hearing. Council, city staff, and audience members left the council chambers and returned after approximately five minutes.

Mayor Duncan shared that City Council was provided the staff report and has reviewed the special use standards. Motion to approve and adopt staff findings regarding the special use standards by Mayor Duncan; second by Mr. Epley. Upon viva voce vote, motion passed and special use standards were approved and added to the record.

SPECIAL USE STANDARDS
A.
The proposed use at the specified location is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
PRELIMINARY STAFF FINDINGS:
➢
The proposed use is consistent with the recommendations in the 2004 Comprehensive Plan that corporate offices, and general tenant office space would be an appropriate use for the Sugar Camp acreage. Moreover, the proposal also meets the stated site development guidelines that the property be developed as a “campus-type” environment with a well-landscaped and attractive physical setting that does not adversely impact the existing residential neighborhood.
B.
The proposed building or use will not adversely affect or change the character of the area in which it is located.
PRELIMINARY STAFF FINDINGS:
➢
The use of the proposed building for office purposes is consistent with the business uses of the 12+ acre Sugar Camp site that have existed since 155,000+ square feet of office/training space was constructed in the late 1960’s. Even prior to that, NCR used the property for business purposes dating back to temporary tents originally used in the early 1900’s and then replaced in the 1930’s when more than 50 cabins were built on the site.

Ingress and egress to the building will be from the existing signalized intersection at W. Schantz and Kramer Road, and there is no reason to believe that traffic from the proposed building will impact the adjoining neighborhood streets.

In addition, although the proposed building does not mirror the nearly 48 year old architecture of the existing buildings, the designers are using complimenting building materials with a compatible 21st century architectural theme designed to link the eclectic architecture themes and building scales in the immediate area.

C.
That the establishment, maintenance or operation of the special use will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience or general welfare.
PRELIMINARY STAFF FINDINGS:
➢
There is nothing to suggest that public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience or general welfare will be at risk since the proposed use of the land is consistent with the business uses that have existed on the site for well over 100 years. As far as safety is concerned, a great deal of time has already been spent by the site engineers on issues pertaining to fire safety and how the building will be accessed by safety vehicles and personnel. There were a number of iterations and modifications to the original site plan in response to issues raised by both Kettering and