Panel approves rezoning of Elm Street block to C4 for potential community health redevelopment

The Zoning Advisory Commission on Sept. 3 recommended that City Council rezone two parcels in the 1500 block between 15th and 16th streets — identified as 1550 Elm Street and 411 E. 15th Street — from Heavy Industrial (HI) to C4 (downtown) to allow redevelopment more consistent with downtown uses. City planning staff said the rezoning would better align the parcel with adjacent downtown parcels and could allow a civic‑serving use such as a community health center.

“We do feel like this is an appropriate rezoning of this property that would allow for redevelopment of the lot for something such as a community health center,” Associate Planner Sheena Moon said, describing the request as an early step; no conceptual site plan had yet been submitted and the parcels remain at a preliminary stage for redevelopment.

Staff explained that the two parcels together form most of a block and are currently zoned HI; C4 is the zoning type more commonly found downtown and allows a broader range of commercial and residential‑adjacent uses. The city will require the normal review steps for redevelopment, including site plan review and building code evaluation; staff noted the parcels abut the railroad tracks and Elm Street and that existing buildings on the parcels would require inspection to determine whether they could be reused.

There was no public testimony in opposition and no detailed development proposal to review. The commission voted to recommend the rezoning; the item was scheduled for City Council review on Sept. 15.