Planning commission recommends denying general-plan change for Washington Fields property over access concerns

The Washington City Planning Commission on Aug. 6 recommended denial of G-25-04, a proposed general-plan amendment to change a parcel at 2651 South Washington Fields Road from low-density residential to Planned Unit Development Commercial (PUDC), saying the application does not yet resolve how vehicles would safely access the site.

The commission voted 3-0 to send a recommendation for denial to the City Council after a public hearing and an extended staff presentation. Commissioner Richard Davis made the motion to deny, citing “ambiguity with respect to the access,” and Commissioner Mitchell seconded. Commissioners Mitchell, Davis and Bullock each voted “aye.”

The proposal before the commission would have allowed a site-specific PUDC designation; the applicant and a speaker who identified the existing use as a flower farm described plans for an on-site building for workshops and rental for weddings or other events. City staff described the requested change as a link between neighborhood commercial to the west and surrounding low-density…