Board approves rezoning of 501 Highland; effective after comp-plan amendment

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen on first reading approved an ordinance to rezone a small parcel at 501 Highland from commercial general to high-density residential, with the ordinance becoming effective only after the comprehensive growth plan’s future land-use map is formally amended and adopted.

The rezoning matter arose during the public hearing period when Elizabeth Welch, who said she bought the lot as a lot of record, told the board the parcel “doesn't make sense as commercial” and that she was told when she purchased the lot that she could build a home so long as it “didn't exceed more than 40% of the total area.” Welch said the lot is surrounded by homes, has no space for parking and currently contains a single-wide trailer used for residential purposes.

City Manager Ron Martin told the board the parcel historically was zoned commercial general and that the future land-use map in the recently adopted comprehensive growth plan grouped this parcel into a commercial area by mapping area-wide rather than parcel-by-parcel. “We can't recommend that you do something that's in violation of that,” Martin said, describing the planning commission's decision: the commission recommended rezoning the parcel while also signaling its intent to amend the future land-use map to correct what members called an erroneous commercial designation.

Martin and planning staff explained the practical effect: the ordinance as drafted will become effective only after the planning commission completes the public-hearing process to amend the comprehensive growth plan and the board adopts that amendment. Planning staff estimated that sequence would place final action in December rather than November.

Alderman Greg moved to approve the rezoning on first reading; Alderman Holloman seconded. The motion passed 7-0 on the vote recorded that night. The ordinance is filed as Ordinance 25-29 and will not be effective until the plan amendment required by the ordinance’s Section 2 is adopted.

The board heard that a survey from Todd Bollinger showing how a house could meet setbacks was available to members. The applicant’s representative thanked planning staff and commissioners for working to find a path forward. No evidence in the meeting record showed the board had altered setbacks, density limits or parking requirements as part of this action; those regulatory details remain subject to existing zoning and subdivision rules and to the future land-use amendment process.

If the planning commission and board complete the amendment and second reading as described in the ordinance, the petitioner indicated construction activity could begin in December. The board did not detail a construction schedule; the ordinance’s effective date is tied to the plan amendment and the board’s second and final passage.