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Council denies proposal to add light manufacturing to Business Commercial zone
Summary
The Alpine City Council voted unanimously May 13 to deny an ordinance amendment that would have allowed light manufacturing in the city's Business Commercial zone, with staff and residents urging preservation of the general plan's land-use intent and noting potential traffic, noise and neighborhood impacts.
The Alpine City Council unanimously denied an ordinance amendment May 13 that would have added "light manufacturing" as a permitted use in the Business Commercial zone.
The change was proposed after manufacturing uses that historically existed in the city lapsed and lost legal nonconforming status. Applicant proponents argued updating the code would allow modern manufacturing uses. Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended denial on April 29, citing traffic, odor, noise and potential conflicts with nearby residential areas.
Members of the public urged the council to retain current zoning and land-use goals. Andy Spencer told the council that allowing new manufacturing would require showing changed conditions and that Alpine had not demonstrated such a change. Council members who spoke said they were concerned the amendment would be contrary to the city's general plan and current policy for Main Street character.
Councilman Kelly Law moved to deny Ordinance 2025-O-07 to add light manufacturing as a conditional use in Business Commercial, citing conflicts with the general plan; Councilwoman Jessica Smuin seconded. Roll-call votes were recorded as unanimous in favor of denial.
Why it matters: The decision preserves the city's current approach to Main Street and commercial zoning and leaves legacy industrial sites governed by existing nonconforming-status rules rather than creating new allowances for manufacturing in the Business Commercial district.
