Moraine planning commission tables rezoning request for 3305 Main Street, directs special-use review to BZA

The Moraine Planning Commission on July 15 tabled a zoning-district change application for 3305 Main Street and directed the applicant to seek a special or conditional-use review from the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). The applicant, investor Omar Shaker, asked that the property's zoning be changed from R-2 (single-family residential) to B-2 (general business) to permit retail uses listed in the B-2 code, including retail tobacco sales.

The application matters because B-2 permits a wide range of retail and service businesses that are not allowed in R-2, and a permanent rezoning would change long-term options for the parcel and neighboring properties. Planning staff told the commission the request is being considered because the site's prior commercial use has been discontinued for more than two years, which triggers the city’s nonconforming-use rules. Nick Siris, City Planner, cited the Moraine Codified Ordinances (chapter 1191.02(c)) and said the technical review committee examined the file and the…