Council approves rezoning for 1031 Mount Auburn Road to allow multi-tenant commercial use

The Common Council voted unanimously April 28 to adopt Ordinance R-2025-06 (amended), rezoning property commonly known as 1031 Mount Auburn Road from M-2 to M-1 to legally establish a multi-tenant commercial use and allow professional offices in an existing building.

Cassie Virgin of the Area Plan Commission presented the APC recommendation, saying the site historically hosted a health-club-turned-x-ray facility and martial-arts school and that no development commitments were originally filed. The APC recommended approval with eight affirmative votes on condition that the applicant file a use-development commitment (UDC) to prohibit certain disfavored uses abutting residential property. The applicant and the Mount Auburn Neighborhood Association then worked together to produce a UDC that restricts higher-intensity uses such as packaged liquor stores, adult uses, and billboards, the APC report said.

Roger Lehman, representing the applicant R. Lehman and Son Consulting, answered council questions and said the rezoning is effectively a down-zoning to align the zoning with the building’s historic and current uses.

The clerk called the roll; the ordinance was adopted with nine ayes and zero nays. Council members voting aye were: Councilwoman Mosby; Councilman Hieronymus; Councilwoman Carruthers; Councilwoman Kayler Lindsey; Councilman Britney; Councilwoman Allen; Councilman Green; Councilman Johnson; and Councilman Trockman.

Staff noted the action does not align with the 2035 future land use map’s industrial designation but said it formalizes the site’s longstanding commercial use and includes the UDC to limit impacts on adjacent residential areas.