|
What is now Ruddertowne may be developed into what developers say will become a new icon. It could include a movie cinema, welcome center with public restrooms, restaurants, a pharmacy, grocery store, retail shops, spa and fitness center, a babysitting service and a Funland-type entertainment center for children.
Shawn Tucker, attorney for developers Harvey & Hannah Associates, presented his clients’ ideas for the bayside property to bring more people to Dewey and to give residents more to do. “People are driving through, but not stopping here,” he said.
He cautioned the Ruddertowne architectural design group, an ad hoc committee established by the town, that the ideas were not set in stone because the developers have not yet establish a plan. The Thursday, May 24 meeting was a brainstorming session between town officials and developers to rule out any unwanted plans and to add new ones to the list.
“We want more than T-shirt shops. A nice commercial area based on the comprehensive plan and what we’ve heard from folks,” Tucker said.
Commissioner Mike Eisenhauer, who chairs the committee, said, “I don’t think there’s anything we would take away or remove. This is viable and could be successful. It will add to the town and create a longer or full season with an anchor to pull it all together.”
He said town planners would need to create a new zoning district for the development. The comprehensive plan calls for establishing a town center district that encourages commercial use, but allows limited residential use.
Planner David King, who attended the committee meeting, said, “It could include homes on the second floor with shops below them, but the goal was 100 percent commercial. People want the bay to remain with mixed, varied, small quality restaurants, coffee shops and stores.”
Tucker said to keep his clients’ plans on schedule, the town needs to complete zoning changes by September. Changes must include height variances if the town wants parking, he said. Currently, building over 35 feet in height is prohibited.
“The biggest thing that cripples Dewey is parking,” said The Starboard owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery. From the beginning, the committee has called for some kind of parking garage. “How we go up with parking, but not go up too high, and provide enough parking is a conundrum. We’re going to propose a structure higher than 35 feet,” Tucker said.
Eisenhauer proposed a structure that is no taller than the Lighthouse, which is the tallest structure in town. Town officials have not determined the height of the bayside bar.
Commissioner Claire Walsh said, “Keep your mind open because a nice structure that incorporates things we want needs to be encouraged, and not stopped at 35 feet because that’ll kill it.”
Some residents warned against building tall in town and said a year-round business doesn’t make sense in Dewey. King said, “If you build something that sits empty nine months of the year, people will hate you.” He said the building should be kept on a 35-foot scale, but he doesn’t see how that will work.
Committee member Anna Legates said, “I’m not sure we can support a year-round community with 22 blocks of land.” She also said homeowners will resent allowing business owners to build tall because they are not permitted to go over 35 feet.
But the majority of residents and committee members agreed a large commercial development with a variety of ventures is ideal for the land and that compromise is necessary for any plan to succeed.
“You have to remember the alternative. Townhouses,” Eisenhauer said.
Tucker said the company has redesigned 3 million square feet of commercial property in the area in both large- and small-scale projects. “We’ve got a lot of experience leasing out property and making it work,” he said.
The committee has scheduled meetings at 7 p.m., Friday, June 15; Friday, June 22; and Friday, June 29 at the Lifesaving Station on Dagsworthy Street. Harvey asked all residents interested in the development of Ruddertowne or anyone with ideas for the property to attend meetings.
Contact Molly Albertson at malbertson@capegazette.com
|
