Council holds Athens Drive rezoning (KC4324) for one month after neighbors and applicant discuss density, parking and open space

Planning staff described a rezoning application (KC4324) for two parcels on Athens Drive seeking an R-X (residential mixed-use) designation that would allow a higher-density building type than the current R-4 zoning. Staff said the request was inconsistent with the city's future land use map (low-scale residential) and that the Planning Commission recommended approval with a split vote.

Applicant Arthur Gordon described a vision that would combine housing with a community garden and said the site already contains a productive garden; he said the project could include an on-site farmer and use the garden as part of residents' daily life. Opponents, including Athens Woods HOA board member Bill Mitchell, said the R-X designation could allow up to 67 apartments on roughly 2.5 acres and worried the site could be converted to student housing, increase traffic near Athens Drive High School and change neighborhood character.

Council members expressed concerns about density, parking, open space and compatibility with surrounding R-4 neighborhoods. Several council members asked the applicant to return with revised conditions that reduce density and clarify open-space and parking commitments. Council voted to hold the matter until the July 1 meeting so the applicant and neighbors could negotiate potential additional conditions.

Why it matters: Rezoning from R-4 to R-X would increase allowable density and building types on property near Athens Drive High School; neighbors raised concerns about scale, traffic and the loss of low-rise housing stock while the applicant emphasized an affordable/community garden vision.

Ending: The council reopened the hearing to pause action and gave the applicant until July 1 to return with possible revised conditions; staff and neighbors were encouraged to confer in the interim.