Planning commission recommends rezoning of 1.17‑acre parcel at 4000 S. and 4700 W. to C‑2, sends to city council

The West Haven Planning Commission on Wednesday recommended that City Council rezone a 1.17‑acre parcel at the northeast corner of 4000 South and 4700 West from A‑1 (agricultural) to C‑2 (commercial), finding the application conforms with the city’s general plan.

The rezoning request was brought by property owners represented at the meeting by Lisa Jones, who said the parcel and co‑owned corners have historically been shown as commercial on earlier city zoning maps and that she and co‑owners have paid property taxes at commercial rates. "We never received any notice that the zoning of our land to change and we believe an error has been made," Jones told the commission.

City planning staff said the parcel currently appears as A‑1 on the city’s most recent public map because past ordinances that established C‑2 zoning had not been correctly applied to the map. Planning staff summarized that the general plan labels the parcel for future commercial use and described the principal differences between A‑1 and C‑2: A‑1 is intended for agricultural and larger lots while C‑2 is a mid‑intensity commercial district “best located at the intersection of arterial streets.” Staff recommended approval consistent with the general plan.

During public comment, resident John Gables said the neighborhood has seen bright nighttime lighting since a Maverik convenience store opened on an adjacent corner and asked whether West Haven has a dark‑skies or lighting ordinance. Planning staff and the community development director responded that West Haven does have a lighting ordinance and that the city requires full‑cutoff fixtures and a lighting plan for new commercial sites. "Our code requires that all new commercial facilities have full cutoff lighting," staff said, adding that the code also requires that lighting not trespass onto adjacent properties and that site plans include foot‑candle diagrams.

Commissioners moved to enter and leave the public hearing, and then voted to recommend approval of the G and J Hollings LLC rezone (parcel 081980005) from A‑1 to C‑2, finding the application conforms with the general plan. Commissioner Hepworth made the motion and Commissioner Reid seconded; the commission voted in favor and the recommendation will go to City Council at its next meeting.

The applicant, Lisa Jones, told commissioners she and co‑owners Dennis and Susan Green have held the land since about 1988 and developed the adjacent Fair Grove subdivision in 2001. She provided a 2014 city zoning map that she said showed all four corners at the intersection as C‑2. City staff explained the discrepancy as part of a multi‑year effort to correct mapping errors discovered when the city updated open‑space and other parcel designations.

Next steps: The planning commission’s recommendation will appear on the City Council agenda next week; staff said the council meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the minutes from the Feb. 26 meeting earlier in the session (motion by Commissioner Reed; second by Commissioner Gahl; aye vote). Later, the commission voted to recommend approval of the rezoning for parcel 081980005 (motion by Commissioner Hepworth; second by Commissioner Reid; motion carried). The meeting adjournment was carried by voice vote.