On December 19th, the Landmark Preservation Commission reconvened to discuss revising the design guidelines for the historic Country Club Gardens.

After Rick Peterson of Oz Architecture presented a shadow study indicating the impact of two large towers on nearby buildings, eight neighbors testified: 7 of them were against the proposed changes, 1 was in favor.

Considerable concern was raised over the impact on the Norman Apartments, also a designated historic landmark. Neighbors worried about the traffic impact of nearly a thousand more cars in the area, as well as the impact of two skyscrapers on neighborhood character. A "skyscraper" is generally defined as a building greater than 150 feet; the towers under consideration are each 300 feet tall with an estimated 900 total units.

Pages 5-8 of the attached document detail the LPC deliberations. As in their October discussion, members expressed concerns over the impact on the Norman and the massive size of the redevelopment. In the end, the commission sent the project on to City Council striking the most contentious guideline changes, and requesting restudy of the massing to further reduce the impact on the Norman.