Commission recommends city council approve rezoning on North Lincoln Street and West Tyler Avenue

The Stillwater Planning Commission voted 5-0 to accept staff findings and recommend City Council approve a map amendment (MA 205-1) to rezone properties on North Lincoln Street and West Tyler Avenue to "RTM" (two-family/multi-family residential).

Staff described the request as a consolidation of zoning in a small area to RTM to match surrounding parcels. "The request is to rezone from 2 family residential to 2 family multifamily residential," the staff presentation said, noting the subject addresses include 814 through 820 and 822 through 824 North Lincoln Street and 1102 through 1104 West Tyler Avenue.

Staff displayed maps showing proximity to Oklahoma State University residential halls to the west and Obrecht Stadium nearby; the city's comprehensive plan calls for low-density residential in the broader area, which staff identified in its findings. The applicant's representative, Aaron Ferguson of Bancroft Design, told the commission the applicant currently has no specific development plan and intends primarily to have zoning uniform for sale of the property: "As of right now, my understanding is the applicant does not have any specific plans, but they intend to sell the property, and they want to have it all rezoned consistently for that purpose," Ferguson said.

After the public hearing (no public speakers), the commission considered staff alternatives and moved to accept the findings and recommend approval to City Council. The motion passed 5-0.

The Planning Commission's action is a recommendation; final rezoning requires City Council action. Staff materials note the area's future land-use designation in the comprehensive plan calls for low-density residential, information commissioners reviewed as part of the recommendation process.