North University Avenue isn't what it used to be.
It is no longer a corridor lined with some of the grandest historic homes in the city. Such homes are becoming increasingly rare along University Avenue - replaced by apartment complexes and commercial enterprises.Some people say the nature of the avenue already has been irreparably altered. But city officials say a moratorium on building and demolition called by the City Council, which runs through April 25, will allow them to dictate the nature of University Avenue for the future.
Maybe the future nature of north University Avenue will incorporate its past charisma.
The city Planning Commission has asked staff in the Office of Community Development to pursue creation of a performance zone from 500 North to 960 North - which would establish various development requirements - and to consider including more of University Avenue in that zone. Two developers that have proposed projects for north University Avenue will help develop the performance zone.
Leland Gamette, director of community development, said that until now Provo has been unwilling to institute the architectural standards and controls that now are being considered for north University Avenue.
"It is a battle cry that has been carried forward by better men than I," Gamette said. "I am pleased that the City Council and the mayor have said it may be late in the game but we have a corridor that warrants some architectural control."
Community Development staff already has begun a number of studies that will help the Planning Commission develop a plan for the corridor. The staff is looking at past use of north University Avenue as well as current uses and trends.
Studies include: a land use inventory; an evaluation of current property ownership; potential for historic preservation; analysis of availability of parking at existing structures; an evaluation of building conditions; and an evaluation of applicable development controls - such as building height restrictions, setback requirements, etc.
Preliminary work reveals that single-family homes, multifamily homes, apartments and commercial properties are equally represented along the avenue. There are twice as many rental properties as owner-occupied units.
"The change from owner occupancy to rental units is brought about by a variety of factors, such as the demand for this type of housing close to BYU, the increased traffic along University Avenue, the pressure from commercial establishments for this street frontage and the changing life cycles of the resident population," states a draft staff report.
The report also notes that the number of historic homes remaining along north University Avenue are few. "This does not mean that they should not be preserved. It may suggest, however, that there isn't enough left to consider creating a historic district."