The Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 6 approved an ordinance rezoning eight nonconforming parcels from commercial districts into residential districts to align zoning with surrounding uses and allow existing homes to qualify for conventional financing and rebuilding. Miss Grasser, a planning staff member, presented the item and staff recommended approval.

The measure, part of the first round of mailings to owners of nonconforming lots, moves two lots from B-1 to R-2 and three lots from B-3 to R-2 and R-4, Grasser said. "These were, based on keeping these houses within our, affordable housing inventory, and it just makes sense to rezone them so they can get traditional, financing," Grasser said.

The rezoning was discussed during the public hearing phase after staff presentation. A nearby homeowner who identified themself as the owner of 702 South Fourteenth Street said they had received the rezoning notice and described limits under the current commercial zoning: "I was told with it being commercial, I couldn't add on to the house, do any kind of things like that. And if it burnt down ... I couldn't rebuild." A planning staff member responded that under current zoning the homeowner's statements were correct and that the proposed rezoning would put the house back into conformity: "If this passes ... your house would be back in conformity, and you can sell it, get insurance, you can do whatever is in our bounds of work on it."

Commissioner Reichert moved approval; Commissioner Clava seconded. With no further public comment, the commission took a voice vote and the ordinance passed unanimously.

The rezoning will allow the affected properties to be treated as conforming residential lots for sale, financing and rebuilding purposes; the commission and staff said the goal is to preserve existing housing stock and improve access to financing. The measure was one of several rezoning and land-use items considered during the Aug. 6 meeting.

Planning staff said 43 letters were mailed as part of the program and eight properties are included in this first round.

The commission did not specify an implementation deadline during the meeting; the ordinance was approved and will move forward per the city’s standard ordinance adoption process.