The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-1 to recommend a rezoning that would change the Quaker Avenue parcel at 120 Fourth Street from a mix of office, single-family and high-density residential to Neighborhood Commercial on the front half and Office District on the rear half (zone case 3525). The measure will go to City Council for final action; because written opposition exceeded the 20 percent threshold, the case will require a supermajority vote at Council.
Corey Doolin, speaking for the applicant (AMD Engineering on behalf of T Market Properties), said the applicant increased the buffer yard along the residential edge to 20 feet and removed an originally proposed gym from the plan. "We've increased the buffer yard here along the residential area, to to 20 feet," Doolin said, describing the change as a concession after neighbor concerns.
Susan McIntyre Dillon, a nearby resident, objected that the requested Neighborhood Commercial zoning could allow higher-intensity uses such as drive-in restaurants, bars or 24-hour operations that would erode a long-standing, largely senior neighborhood. "Please do not allow the negative impact this zoning would have on the quality of our lives," McIntyre Dillon said, adding that the neighborhood was home to several senior couples who value the area's quiet character.
Staff advised the commission that the future land-use map designates the area for low-density residential but that the proposed change "is in moderate conformance" because the property fronts an arterial and abuts existing commercial uses. Staff said it had no objection to the current request. The commission approved the rezoning motion 7-1; the case will go to City Council, with the applicant and staff aware of the written opposition and the potential requirement for a supermajority vote.