The Francis City Planning Commission held a public hearing on Thursday regarding a proposed ordinance that would increase the number of stories allowed in the city center zone from three to four. After a 40-minute hearing and discussion, the commission ultimately decided against recommending the ordinance to the City Council and to recommend a moratorium on commercial development.“When we approved the 45-foot height, we probably should have looked at this one at the same time, but we overlooked it,” said Katie Henneuse, the Francis city planner who brought the ordinance before the commission. “We saw it later when we were going through some things and realized we have this three-story limit in our code.”Planning commissioners approved an increase to the maximum height restrictions in August to grow tax revenue by incentivizing development in the city center area, according to Henneuse.“We have several economic development goals that talk about having the rate of commercial growth be higher than the rate of residential growth, promoting a positive environment for businesses to strengthen and improve the city’s tax base and quality of life, create and maintain a sustainable economic base for Francis City, providing tax revenues, increase local employment and convenience of shopping and restaurants,” she explained.Prior to the in-person public hearing, Henneuse read a few comments into the record from residents who were unable to attend the meeting. Some of the comments referred to a proposed hotel in the city center, alleging the four-story change was related to the potential development.“I feel a tall hotel structure is out of character with this location,” wrote Richard Young. “How does it offer any redeeming value or benefit to the area? How does it fit into the overall vision and plan for this intersection? Are we getting out over the front of our skis moving forward with this proposal?”Another comment submitted by Lindsay Hancock advocated for lowering the allowance to two stories rather than increasing it to four, a sentiment echoed by multiple speakers throughout the in-person hearing as well.“Larger structures, particularly hotels or high-density commercial properties, may not be sustainable in our community,” Hancock added. “If they remain vacant for extended periods, landlords may lower rents significantly, potentially inviting undesirable tenants or groups. … Increased density brings higher traffic volumes, potential safety issues and risks of crime, none of which align with the peaceful lifestyle Francis residents value.”Eight people spoke in front of a full room about their stance on the proposed number of floors in a potential hotel at the Francis Planning Commission meeting on Thursday. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordHenneuse read a total of 16 comments into the record, all of which were against the four-story change to the city’s code. Seven residents who spoke in person were also opposed to the ordinance, and an eighth speaker told the Planning Commission that the argument between four and three stories seemed irrelevant if the maximum building height is still 45 feet. He asked commissioners to make the process clearer to help residents understand the core of the issue.Francis City Planning Commissioner Scott Buchanan said he would only focus on the crux of the ordinance, which is the change to four stories and does not involve any proposed hotel. However, he said that residents had brought up a few points that really stood out to him.“One [is] related to fire protection, whether or not there is the capability on the part of the fire department to provide services for 45 feet and whether it’s three stories or four stories doesn’t change the fact that the fire department has to approve these plans,” Buchanan said. “There’s been some separate discussion when it comes to how fire protection would work. I don’t believe that is related to this directly.”Planning Commissioner Kimberly Lawson said she believed commissioners should listen to and vote based on the will of the people, despite being appointed and not elected. For that reason, she voiced her opposition to the ordinance and announced she would vote “no.”Planning Commissioner Kimberly Lawson Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record“I think three versus four stories is a significant change, not just for optical purposes, but also for the purposes of what that makes economically viable and what people will be able to pack onto their land,” contributed Planning Commission Vice Chair Rich Christiansen. “I think, in addition to the comments people have made here, it’s reflecting not just the optics of what they want the city to look like, but the kind of businesses that they want here, and I’m not hearing or feeling any support for businesses that need four stories to survive.”The Francis City Planning Commission voted 4-1 to give the ordinance a negative recommendation to the City Council. The Planning Commission also decided to recommend a moratorium on development in the city center and nearby commercial zone until the city is able to clarify its goals.Buchanan was the dissenting vote, saying he supported the ordinance’s negative recommendation but wasn’t sure about the proposed moratorium.The post Four-story ordinance receives negative recommendation from Francis City Planning Commission appeared first on Park Record.