Planning staff recommended denying a rezoning request (case 9-M25RZ) to change three parcels at East Inskip Drive and Scheele Road from RN1 (single-family residential) to RN5 (general residential), saying the higher-density RN5 district would disrupt an established transition between lower-density single-family areas and more intense residential/commercial areas.

Staff reviewed the history: following a 2013 City Council resolution and the 2011 Inskip small-area plan, several areas were downzoned to better align zoning with neighborhood character. The subject area has seen gradual increases in intensity in surrounding parcels but staff said the NC11 Mixed Use Special District and the Inskip Small Area Plan recommend medium-density residential (1'12 dwelling units/acre) and neighborhood conservation. RN5 permits townhome and multifamily densities of about 21'26 dwelling units/acre, which staff said exceeds the NC11 intent.

Staff also cited multimodal and pedestrian needs for East Inskip Drive, noting the corridor was repaved earlier in the year without added sidewalks, bike lanes or traffic calming measures identified as priorities in the 2015 bicycle facilities plan and the 2020 sidewalk study. Staff concluded that expanding RN5 could encroach on the transitional residential pattern and is not appropriate at this location and recommended denial.

Next steps: staff recommended denial at the agenda-review and presented findings for the Planning Commission public hearing. Commissioners did not vote at the agenda-review; the item will proceed to public hearing for further consideration.