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Department of Community Development
Reference: Reuse of The Depot - 269 E. Bridge Street
To: Mayor Richard N. McLean and Members of City Council
Through: Philip Rodriguez, City Manager
Marv Falconburg, AICP, Assistant City Manager
Holly Prather, AICP, Community Development Director
Prepared By: Lauren Simmons, AICP, Senior Planner
Date Prepared: December 8, 2017
PURPOSE
Request for direction by the City Council in regards to the appropriateness of a proposed use for The Depot building located at 269 E. Bridge Street. An agreement approved in 1980 specifically noted uses that 'emphasize family patronage'. The applicant is requesting the City Council consider their proposed use, an insurance office, as meeting the use restriction as set forth in the agreement.
BACKGROUND
On September 2, 1980, the City agreed to sell The Depot building under the condition the buyer put in a use that would 'emphasize family patronage' and the buyer would designate the building as a historic landmark. Since 1980, the building has had a variety of uses, most recently a retail bicycle shop which was determined to emphasize family patronage. The building has not been designated as a historic landmark since 1980. The City's Land Use and Development Code, nor the agreement define what a use that emphasizes family patronage would be. However, over the years staff has interpreted this phrase to mean a use that includes patrons, people from every age group, including children that give financial or other support to an organization, cause or business activity. Staff believes the intent of the language was to ensure that the historically significant building was open to and able to be experienced by people from every age group, especially children. Note: The original concept for the building in 1980 was a family restaurant.
Currently, the building is for sale and the current potential buyer owns a Flood Insurance Office in Downtown Brighton. The potential buyer would...
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