A Unified Development Ordinance project being considered by the City of Manhattan may have an impact on how the Aggieville Business District develops and changes in the coming years.
On Tuesday evening, Manhattan City Commissioners held a joint work session with the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board and Ordinance Advisory Committee to hear an update on the ongoing UDO project being executed by the Texas-based Kendig Keast Collaborative. The 18-month project is an effort to merge zoning and subdivision regulations.
These regulations will also incorporate the Aggieville Community Vision into the historic bar and dining district.
Brad Lonberger, a principal architect with Gateway Planning Group, visited with members of the Aggieville Business Association. Lonberger said business owners want to increase the district’s profile by improving signage, beautifying alleys, and possibly making Moro a two-way street.
Gary Stith, a member of the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board, said he would like to see Moro stay pedestrian-friendly.
“If you could widen the sidewalks out, that would allow for more streetscape,” Stith said. “It would allow for more outdoor dining in front of restaurants and be effective in some areas.”
The perimeter of the district, namely Laramie Street and Bluemont Avenue, will see changes in coming years through changes to zoning ordinances. Commissioners will hear the second reading of an ordinance this summer that will amend city zoning codes and prohibit future parking lots within the district.
“Moro itself is still active and vibrant,” Lonberger said. “You have a lot more turnover outside Moro because it’s not the same development standard, it doesn’t really induce the ‘walk-ability’ factor.”
Lonberger indicated a parking garage should not be ruled out. He would like to see more vertical development before building a garage in the district, but Lonberger said a parking garage could be a great example of a public-private partnership.
“The city has properties along Laramie,” Lonberger said. “What can those do to influence some of the issues — such as parking?”
The public had an opportunity to view these plans and talk with planners during a viewing session at the Bluemont Hotel on Tuesday evening.
Bret Keast, CEO of Kendig Keast Collaborative, updated commissioners on the UDO that is being implemented in multiple stages. Keast said a PDF of the UDO will be available on the city’s website in the coming days.
