Commission defers Downtown Code change to remove standalone parking from Second Avenue overlay

Metro planning staff presented a zoning text amendment (item 17) to revise the Downtown Code (DTC) land-use chart and remove “automobile parking” as a stand-alone permitted use within the Second Avenue Historic Preservation overlay. Eric Hammer, presenting the amendment, said existing standalone parking uses within the overlay would be allowed to continue per Metro code section 17-4650, but new standalone lots or garages inside the overlay would not be a permitted principal use under the proposed change.

Hammer said the change affects only properties inside the Second Avenue overlay and is intended to protect the form and character of that historic street as rebuilding continues after the December 2020 explosion. He told commissioners the proposed amendment would leave automobile parking as a permitted land use outside the Second Avenue overlay and in other downtown use areas.

Under the commission’s recently adopted rules for text amendments, Hammer recommended the item be deferred two regularly scheduled meetings so the commission can hold an initial public hearing and then take final action at a later date. Commissioners debated briefly, with Historic Zoning Commission representatives expressing support for the change. Commissioner Smith moved to defer the item for two meetings; the motion carried with those present and the item was deferred to the May 8 meeting for final consideration.