ITEM NO. 11: M-3 TO RO-2; 1.01 ACRE; LOTS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF LOCUST EAST OF 508 LOCUST TO N. 6TH STREET (PGP)
Z-02-04-04: A request to rezone a tract of land containing 16 original lots approximately 1.01 acre from M-3 (Intensive Industrial) District to RO-2 (Residence-Office) District. The property is generally described as the following: Lot 231 - 512 Locust Street (Single-family Dwelling); Lot 233 - 514 Locust Street (Single-family Dwelling); Lots 235 & 237 (Vacant Parcel); Lots 239, 241 & 243 - 524 Locust Street (Single-family Dwelling); Lots 245, 247 & 249 (Vacant Parcel); Lots 251, 253 & 255 - 536 Locust Street (Single-family Dwelling); and Lots 257, 259 & 261 - 546 Locust Street (Single-family Dwelling). The Planning Commission initiated this rezoning at their January meeting.
STAFF PRESENTATION
Mr. Patterson introduced the Item, a request to rezone the subject property from M-3 (Intense Industrial) to RO-2 (Residential-Office) and explained the original request had been for RMD zoning for a single property and the Commission initiated rezoning to RO-2 for the majority of the south side of the block.
Mr. Patterson
described the existing uses on and around the subject area, stating the current
M-3 zoning did not allow residential uses and was not appropriate for the
existing uses in the subject area. RO-2 zoning would be more suitable,
allowing professional offices, duplexes and single-family dwellings. RO-2
zoning would not allow multi-family uses.
The front page of the Staff Report summarized the opinions of the subject area residents to the proposed rezoning, and Mr. Patterson said the one landowner in opposition indicated a preference for single-family (RS) zoning.
PUBLIC HEARING
No member of the public spoke on this item
STAFF CLOSING
Mr. Patterson said a letter was received from the North Lawrence Neighborhood Association after the communications deadline indicating the association’s opposition to the proposed RO-2 zoning and a preference for RS (single-family) zoning.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Although there was some opposition to the zoning, it was suggested that a comprehensive consideration of the proposal would show that the current M-3 was unsuitable and any change to a less-intense zoning classification would be a positive change.
It was also suggested that RO-2 zoning was more suitable than RS as a transitional zoning between the existing residential and industrial uses.
ACTION TAKEN
Motioned by Comm. Angino, seconded by Comm. Johnson to approve the rezoning of 1.01 acres from M-3 to RO-2 and forward it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval, based on the findings of fact presented in the body of the Staff Report.
Motion carried unanimously, 9-0.