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Planning commission holds public hearing on request to allow wholesale uses in C-3 zoning
Summary
The City of Danforth Planning Commission on Oct. 14 held a public hearing on a request from Leverage Holdings LLC to amend Table 17‑81 of the Danforth zoning ordinance to allow wholesale establishments as a permitted use in the C‑3 General Commercial zoning district citywide.
The City of Danforth Planning Commission on Oct. 14 held a public hearing on a request from Leverage Holdings LLC to amend Table 17‑81 of the Danforth zoning ordinance to allow wholesale establishments as a permitted use in the C‑3 General Commercial zoning district across all wards.
Planning staff said the amendment is intended to help adapt large commercial properties — including former big‑box stores — to current market demand by explicitly allowing wholesale businesses in C‑3. Matt Wordridge, planning staff, said wholesale, as defined in the zoning code, sells goods to retailers, contractors or other businesses rather than directly to the general public.
The proposed change would align some C‑3 parcels with uses that currently are permitted in industrial districts, staff said. Wordridge told commissioners wholesale uses could reduce vacancy and “bring marketability back” to large, underused commercial buildings. He gave examples such as HVAC suppliers and contractor supply houses. The petitioner’s representative, Mr. Pasternak, said many buildings already have dock facilities and that restoring wholesale as a permitted use would help small retailers expand into business‑to‑business sales.
Staff and several commissioners discussed traffic. Commissioners noted C‑3 districts are typically located on arterial or collector streets (examples cited by staff included Elmore, Kimberly, Third Street and Locust) and therefore are generally designed to accommodate higher truck volumes. Wordridge said permitting wholesale “may increase semi truck traffic,” but commissioners and staff agreed C‑3 locations are typically equipped to handle commercial truck deliveries.
No members of the public submitted comments in advance, planning staff said. The hearing was closed with no final zoning decision; staff will bring a recommendation back at a subsequent meeting.
The commission did not take a formal vote on the text amendment at the Oct. 14 hearing; the item will return for further consideration and a staff recommendation at a future meeting.
