The latest proposal calls for a graduated building that is two stories tall at its far east and west ends and three stories tall in the middle. At its highest point, the building will measure just over 45 feet, slightly lower than was originally planned. The first floor, which includes 8,241 square feet of space, is intended for commercial retail use. The second and third floors are to be rented as professional office space.
Khan argued that the new building must be financially viable, or on a large enough scale to be profitable to Khosravi, otherwise developing the property would make no sense. McHugh stated that not only is the proposal well within Khosravi’s legal rights, but it would most likely benefit the local economy.
“I look at this area here and I realize that building something like this is probably going to increase the property values,” McHugh said. “It may spur other developments in this area that are going to be much nicer than this.”
That those in attendance at the meeting were unimpressed with the changes in the building plan was clear. Some contested the idea that it would improve property values. Those who own homes just below the site argued they would lose their view of the mountains.
Gary Comeau, who lives behind Foothill Lumber, said the size of the development will change the entire feel of the neighborhood.
“We moved up here because it has a kind of rural atmosphere,” Gary Comeau said. “This does not look rural, it takes away the rural atmosphere feeling.”
His wife Nancy said that the issue of compatibility was ignored from the very inception of the project and that it was “very late in the game” to be inviting community members to share their feedback.
