Downtown design board approves variances for the Santa Fe Depot pavilion, 5-1

COA-22-09 ("Pavilion at the Santa Fe Depot Project," SE 3rd Ave. and S. Grant St.; applicant "Jerry Danforth for the City of Amarillo") asked to delay walkway improvements "to coincide with future projects in the area," to set the west edge six feet from the property line instead of five, and to keep an existing perimeter fence for security. Staff said "the variances do not take way from the core intent of the development standards and recommend approval as presented." On a motion by Gary Jennings to approve all variances together, seconded by Alan Cox, "the motion passed 5-1 with Board Member Mike Ritter voting against the motion." ^[1]

Danforth said the structure would serve "a variety of events that the city will host, the largest being the WRCA Rodeo," that the rodeo's "impact last year was 6 million dollars," and that "the event could grow by 35% if approved." Asked whether other applicants had come to the board after starting construction, he said "this was an extremely accelerated construction project" and "they were not trying to circumvent DAUDs." Board member Mike Ritter said the pavilion "blocks the Santa Fe Depot from Grant Street," called it "a rodeo arena and not a pavilion," said "this building should be at the fairgrounds," and asked "what the point of this board is if it is already started." The Assistant Director of Planning said the depot was listed on the National Register in 1986, that listing "doesn't prevent alterations," and that "Federal Funding is not being used so Section 106 is not triggered. The City owns all the property in question." Danforth said funding for the walkways and streetscape was in place. ^[1]