New council member to start work at fast pace

Sito Negron

Tuesday, July 6, 2004 | 11:11 a.m.

Wednesday's scheduled swearing-in of new council member Steve Wolfson will kick off what is expected to be one of the busiest council meetings so far this year.

Wolfson will have a major Ward 2 condo development to deal with right off the bat. In addition, the council as a whole will decide whether or not to give a contract for a redistricting consultant and to name a member of the city Planning Commission.

Wolfson's swearing-in will give the council a full slate for the first time in months.

"I'm excited. I have been meeting with city staffers and Ward 2 residents all week," Wolfson said.

One of the first Ward 2 issues he'll have to deal with is a proposal to place four condominium towers -- one 14-story, and three with 18 stories -- at the southwest corner of Rampart Boulevard and Alta Drive, across from the Suncoast casino.

The proposal would require a rezoning of the land from residential to "planned development," which would allow the towers. The Planning Commission approved the proposal in May.

The Badlands Golf Course borders the site to the south and east. To the west is a residential development. Of 226 notices mailed out by the Planning Department, the city received back two letters supporting the project and 23 protests.

The primary issue generating complaint appeared to be the height of the western tower. The city has rules that prohibit tall buildings from being built next to a single-family home.

City staff members are recommending that the western tower be no more than 12 stories high.

Wolfson said Thursday he is still researching the issue.

"I met with the applicants' representative, I met with (city planning) staff, and I met with my own staff and I'm continuing to gather information on that project," Wolfson said. "It looks like a great project but I am still gathering information."

City Planning Director Bob Genzer, who ran against Wolfson in the special Ward 2 election, said the proposal was unique.

"It's a big project, there's no question about that. It's a good-looking project, at least on paper. This is excellent architecture shown for these buildings," Genzer said.

The project would include 385 units, described as larger than usual, with three-bedroom units up to 3,500 square feet, according to documentation prepared for the council.

The buildings would be faced with stone veneer and stucco and will have metal roofs. Windows will be double-glazed and in bronze aluminum frames.

Among other items to be discussed Wednesday: