Planning Commission rezones 0.74-acre parcel on Sixteenth Avenue to neighborhood commercial

The Planning Commission approved rezoning a 0.74-acre parcel on Sixteenth Avenue from R‑1 (low- to medium-density residential) to Neighborhood Commercial, following a public hearing and discussion about buffers, parking and potential traffic impacts.

Planning staff told the commission the parcel sits between Elm Street and Elizabeth Street and that the city's future land use map already designates the property as neighborhood commercial. Staff described surrounding uses as mostly commercial across the street (including a car wash), as well as a mini storage facility and a cosmetology school on the corner of Sixteenth and Elizabeth. The parcel abuts an R‑1 lot that is currently vacant.

During the public hearing, Paula Draper of 1215 Park Hill Drive said she understood the rezoning request and noted existing commercial uses nearby. Planning staff said the commission had received one letter of opposition included in the meeting packet.

Commissioners asked technical questions: parking requirements depend on the eventual use and building square footage and would be evaluated during permitting; setbacks for Neighborhood Commercial were cited by staff (front 20 feet, rear 15 feet, side 10 feet; local street side yard 15 feet, arterial/collector 25 feet); the minimum lot size for Neighborhood Commercial is 4,000 square feet, and the 0.74-acre parcel exceeds that minimum. Staff also noted that the Technical Review Committee or TRC may require a traffic study when site plans are submitted and that the city amended its ordinance to give TRC authority to require such studies when necessary.

A commissioner characterized Neighborhood Commercial as a less intensive commercial district than Highway Commercial and said it would include small-scale retail while discouraging automobile-oriented uses. The commission voted to approve the rezoning; the matter passed on a voice vote after a motion and second.