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Council approves rezoning for Fulkers Commons Phase 2 to allow overflow parking
Summary
City council rezoned a 1.14-acre parcel from Central Business District (CBD) to Planned Development (PD) to allow construction of a 73-space overflow parking lot adjacent to a four-story mixed-use building. Approval was unanimous; council discussion covered notification to downtown residents and the PD amendment process.
Garden City — The Garden City City Council unanimously approved rezoning a 1.14-acre parcel on the south side of Pardo Road, east of Middlebelt Road, from Central Business District (CBD) to Planned Development (PD) to accommodate phase 2 of the Fulkers Commons plan development.
Councilmember Witt moved to approve the rezoning citing findings summarized in the city’s review letter and compliance with zoning ordinance section 154.334; the motion passed 7-0.
Planning staff described the parcel as vacant and adjacent to phase 1 of the project at 29317 Ford Road. The rezoning will allow construction of a 73-space overflow parking lot, with roughly 0.47 acres on the lot’s south side left undeveloped as a grass field that could be developed later. Planning staff said the Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 10 and recommended approval after receiving no negative comments.
Planning staff said the CBD does not permit parking lots as a use by right, nor as a special use, which is why the owner sought PD zoning that can tie the parcel to the existing plan development and allow future amendments. "By going through this process now, it has the ability in the future to modify the site as a planned development should the applicant want to," planning staff said.
Council members questioned resident notification for downtown projects. Councilmember Dulles said that because few residents live downtown, many may not see mailed notices and urged the city to broaden notifications for central business district projects. Planning staff said PD rezoning requires the applicant to submit a site plan within one year and that any future change (for example, building townhouses on the undeveloped half-acre) would require an amendment to the PD, Planning Commission review and council approval.
Owner and local developer Albert Abbas addressed the council during public comment, describing the larger redevelopment plans for downtown. Abbas said the full development will be costly and will rely on multiple funding sources including MEDC and MSHDA, and that the project timeline depends on financing. "This is an extremely expensive project. We're talking well over $20,000,000 to invest into this site," Abbas said. He also said current leases on downtown properties are month-to-month to avoid blocking future demolition and construction.
A public commenter asked whether boarded-up windows on downtown properties could be temporarily beautified. The council accepted that request for later follow-up.
The rezoning motion included the condition that the applicant complete all required PD steps identified by the Planning Commission before final approvals. The council vote was 7-0.
Ending: The rezoning clears the way for a 73-space overflow lot tied to the Fulkers Commons development; any future use of the undeveloped portion will require a PD amendment and additional approvals.
