Commission recommends rezoning of 1443 Anthony Road to professional office with conditions

The Augusta Planning Commission recommended rezoning 1443 Anthony Road from R-1C (single-family residential) to P-1 (professional office) to reflect long-standing office use and facilitate a sale to a new owner.

Amanda Cruz, Planner I, said the 0.24-acre property in the historic Somerville district has operated as a medical office since it was converted from a residence in 1974. The petitioner, Dr. Danny Newman, told the commission he and predecessors have operated the medical practice at the location for decades and that a planned move across the street will provide additional parking and handicap accessibility. He said the property “was bought by doctor Henry Bailey in 1974 from a private residence and was converted to a medical office and has been operating as a medical office in this vicinity for the last 51 years.”

Neighbors expressed opposition, citing concerns that rezoning would invite further commercial encroachment, change the residential character and affect property values. Dr. Adair Blackwood, who lives at 1439 Anthony Road, said, “This is a residential street, not a commercial corridor,” and argued the rezoning would set a precedent for future commercial creep.

Staff recommended approval with conditions including a six-foot wooden privacy fence between the parking area and adjacent residences (later removed by consent due to an existing shared hedge), downward-directed lighting, historic-preservation review for any exterior changes, and compliance with site-plan regulations. The commission voted to recommend approval with the adjusted staff conditions; one commissioner recorded an abstention and one did not vote.