Editor note: The Planning Board has not found the time or the inclination to provide suitable housing for the working poor of the CIty and County  Yet they approve Upscale Condos.

Representatives of In-Island Development, LLC, developer William C. Martin, appeared at the commission meeting, first to request the necessary change in zoning from OPI (Office-Professional-Industrial) to RMF-4 (Residential, Multi-Family, medium density).

Then attorney Greg Roberts and architect Bob Koch, of Fugleberg-Koch in the Orlando area, showed their proposed design of the buildings and area, requesting commission approval of some special exceptions as well as the site and development plan, which represents the first project to be proposed in the new Venice Urban Development (VUD) Overlay District.

Besides being required to reflect the Northern Italian Renaissance style of construction, developments and structures in the VUD Overlay District must be characterized by several "new urbanism" attributes, including living on the ground floor, being close to shops, offices and activities (mixed-use), and being pedestrian friendly.

Exciting concept

One element in the architect's renderings which especially appealed to members of the commission was that there would be no garages facing Nokomis Avenue. Though a few garages would face the alleyway at the rear of the property, most would face out on one of two blind service drives separating four of the buildings, and be undetected by the public. The five buildings' very attractive fronts and sides would be what most passersby would see.

"I am really excited about this concept," said Commission member Jim Myers. "This will be a wonderful addition to the area." Others on the board expressed similar enthusiasm about the proposed project.

"If this is approved by the City Council," said Chairman John Osmulski, "the bar will really be set high for any subsequent developments in the VUD Overlay District."

With the Planning Commission's recommendation, the proposal will now be brought before the City Council for approval sometime in the near future. William Martin, the developer, said he hoped to begin construction sometime in the spring of next year.

In other business, the commissioners were taken through another exercise by Comprehensive Planner Kathie Ebaugh and Planning Consultant Amanda Warner, who asked for their opinions and preferences regarding design options for a variety of regional, transitional and local roadways.

The results of these surveys of members of both the planning and parks boards will be combined and tabulated in the development of revisions and updates to the city's Comprehensive Plan.