Council hears rezoning proposal for Hester Road site to support affordable housing partner

City staff presented planning commission’s May recommendation to rezone 2.1 acres at 5234 Hester Road from R‑1B to R‑2A to allow increased density for an affordable housing project being pursued with Empower Me Living.

Sam, representing planning commission, said the city and planning commission view rezoning as a tool to increase housing supply in locations where owners and the city can support development. Under current R‑1B zoning about 13 units would be allowed; rezoning to R‑2A and a planned development could allow up to 26 units, and the current developer partner has proposed roughly 16 units for the site.

Anne (Oxford Area Solutions for Housing) spoke in support, saying the organization endorses rezoning to increase the supply of affordable rental housing and noting that zoning is a significant constraint on housing delivery. “We know that, in order to increase the stock of affordable housing in the community, there's going to need to be some rezoning that increases density,” Anne said.

Planning commission and staff found the rezoning consistent with the comprehensive plan’s suburban neighborhood designation and noted the city’s ownership of the parcel gives the city influence over future development details. Councilors discussed pedestrian‑safety concerns at nearby crossings and said those infrastructure issues should be considered during future site development and design review.

This was a first‑reading item; planning commission recommended approval and staff will bring development details forward for future council consideration.