Planning commission backs rezoning of 155 W. 14th from light industrial to commercial; council action set for July 15

Planning staff presented a request to rezone 155 West 14th Street from M‑1 (light industrial) to C‑3 (commercial). The applicant, Tyler Alexander, was present. Planning staff said the 32,000‑square‑foot lot includes a 12,000‑square‑foot building currently used as a gym and that the applicant proposes commercial uses such as a tattoo business or therapy office.

Planning staff told the council the city’s community plan supports transitioning this corridor toward commercial uses, and staff recommended approval with a positive recommendation from the planning commission. Planning staff said, “this community plan actually says, we ought to reach zone it to C 3,” and noted the property sits at a transition between existing industrial and commercial zones, with commercial uses across the street.

Staff explained that rezoning to C‑3 would permit uses such as barber/beauty shops, general retail, medical or therapy offices, and limited basic assembly (with size limits), while it would eliminate outdoor storage and some industrial uses allowed in M‑1. Staff noted the property’s current parking arrangement and outdoor storage are nonconforming; if the owner changes to uses with higher parking requirements, the parking lot would need reconfiguration and landscaping or storage removal before building permits could be signed off.

Councilors asked whether rezoning could be applied more broadly along the corridor. Planning staff said the council could initiate notice and a larger rezoning effort if it wished. One councilor asked whether the council could limit particular uses; staff replied that certain uses can be limited as conditions of a zone change, giving short‑term loan businesses as an example of a use the city restricts.

This rezoning request has a positive planning commission recommendation and is scheduled for council action on July 15; no vote was taken at the work session.