Council adds Gateway District to Florence downtown redevelopment plan

The Florence Town Council unanimously approved Resolution 1952-25 on Oct. 21 to expand the downtown redevelopment plan boundary to include the Gateway District along the southern approach from State Route 287.

Planning staff presented the amendment as a formal recognition of an entry corridor to Florence’s historic downtown. The Gateway District includes eight privately owned parcels that are currently zoned B1 or B2 and fall under the town’s Highway Mixed Use general plan place type in the update materials. Staff said inclusion enables downtown redevelopment tools — including the town’s façade program and potential use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for eligible infrastructure such as ADA improvements and waterline upgrades.

Staff told council the Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed the amendment and found it conforms with the town’s general plan. Notices went to affected property owners; only the Burger King (property #8) submitted written support. The town attorney reminded council that state statute (the redevelopment statute cited by staff) requires a public hearing but does not define “substantial modification,” and advised staff used conservative public-notice practices.

Councilors who served on the 10‑year redevelopment update supported the change as overdue and beneficial to longstanding businesses in the corridor. The resolution passed as a recorded unanimous vote.

The action extends the downtown redevelopment boundary, removes a sentence that had described the area as not formally in the redevelopment boundary, and makes the Gateway District eligible for redevelopment programs going forward.