Committee hears multiple rezoning requests in Council District 3, including sign discussion for office property

The Urban Economic Development Committee on June 11 considered several rezoning applications in Council District 3 and heard staff, applicants and council members discuss development intent, neighborhood outreach and sign controls.

Key items discussed: - Rezoning application B7811: request to rezone a roughly 10‑acre parcel at the southwest corner of East 506th Street North and North 104th East Avenue from AG (agricultural) to IM (industrial/modern industrial zoning) for employment land uses. Planning staff described surrounding mining operations and said the parcel is intended to be marketed for industrial uses in the future. Staff reported no neighborhood opposition and that the planning commission recommended approval.

- Rezoning application Z7813: request to change IL to AG for a property east of the northeast corner of East Apache Street and North 109th East Avenue. Staff said the parcel has functioned as a residence since the 1950s and that the IL zoning had been applied in 1975 but never used; owners requested AG so the house can be maintained and expanded (legal nonconforming issue). Planning recommended approval.

- Rezoning application Z7814 (ODP): request to rezone OL and RS1 to CS with an optional development plan for a multi‑tenant office building west of the southwest corner of East 401 First Street South and South Harvard Avenue. The applicant intends to replace an existing multi‑tenant sign with a digital display. Staff and councilors noted the property owner had met with neighbors and that neighbors reported no objections; however, the optional development plan (ODP) itself does not currently limit future sign designs or sizes. Several councilors suggested amending the ODP or adding a council amendment to restrict the sign to a monument style and a defined square footage so future owners could not later install a large pole sign without further approvals. The applicant will still need a Board of Adjustment variance if the sign is within 200 feet of residential zoning.

Why it matters: rezoning decisions change allowable uses and development patterns; the sign discussion centered on how to balance a property owner's ability to advertise tenants with long‑term neighborhood character and enforceable limits.

Next steps: staff said the items will proceed through the formal council process; committee discussion focused on potential council amendments (especially on the sign size/type) to be considered when the item appears before the full council.

Ending: Committee members encouraged applicants to work with neighbors and suggested language that would create a measurable, enforceable limit on future signs.