The city's Plan Commission held a public meeting Monday regarding the controversial Edgewater Hotel development proposal, with nearly all of the discussion centered on a zoning ordinance revision that would allow development close to the waterfront.
Bob Dunn, president of Hammes Co. overseeing the project, led a five-part presentation addressing complaints about the project, including the plans for the proposed public space.
His company reiterated that the ""terrace proposed is of great public benefit"" and of comparable size to the Memorial Union Terrace. The comparison came in light of assertions from some public attendees that the area covers only 6,000 square feet.
The developers then said they are still committed to allowing private individuals to host functions in the proposed area.
The Plan Commission voted 5 to 4 in favor of changing a waterfront setback ordinance that would help the project move forward.
Under the old ordinance the setback distance would be roughly 140 feet from the water.
Members of the public took turns at the podium voicing support either for or against the Hammes Co. project.
Adam Plotkin, president of the Mansion Hill Steering Committee, said ""by nearly every measureable standard, the Edgewater proposal is [not within the scale] of the Mansion Hill neighborhood.""
A member of the Landmarks Commission said the overarching reason for that commission's denial of the proposal was the ""gross volume"" of the structure.
Hammes Co. has not addressed the size of the structure since cutting the number of proposed floors to eight.
Ald. Bridget Maniaci, District 2, closed the proceedings by voicing her support for the renovation of the Edgewater. She cited plentiful green space within the public terrace and access to the lakefront are two key tenets within the proposed plan.
