Council approves rezoning and comprehensive‑plan amendment to allow commercial development for Western Sky property

The City Council approved a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning on July 15 to change a 0.48‑acre parcel in the Lasker Addition (21 East 21st Street area) from neighborhood to commercial land use and rezone Lots 4–6 from single‑family residential to general commercial to support the Western Sky restaurant’s parking and planned redevelopment.

Director of Planning and Development Services Aaron Benoit explained the request is intended to regularize a parking area and remove a structure on the dangerous‑building list, and he said the change aligns with development patterns along the Chadbourne corridor. Benoit said staff received one written opposition related to parking circulation but that the proposal includes a fence and other measures to separate commercial activity from adjacent residences. He said general commercial zoning limits outdoor storage to 20 percent, a protection compared with heavy commercial.

Why it matters: The rezoning will allow a locally established restaurant to expand its parking and improve circulation while addressing a deteriorating structure on the parcel. Staff determined the request is compatible with surrounding land uses and recommended approval; the planning commission recommended approval 6‑0 and city council approved the change 7‑0.

Council action: Motion to approve was moved by Council Member Patrick and seconded by Karen Hesse Smith; the vote was 7‑0. Staff said the property owner intends to pave and formalize parking once the rezoning proceeds.