Council approves two downzonings in second reading to encourage residential and neighborhood uses

The Anderson City Council approved two second‑reading rezoning ordinances aimed at downzoning parcels from industrial designations to allow neighborhood commercial and residential uses.

On second reading the council approved Ordinance 25‑02 to rezone 1300 Glen (Lehi) Street from Heavy Industrial (HI) to Neighborhood Commercial (NC). Planning staff and the city attorney told council that the NC classification allows single‑family and multiple residential uses under an interpretation of the zoning code, and that any conversion from commercial to residential would still need to meet residential building codes. Maurice McKenzie, planning and development director, said the applicant intends initial interim residential conversion if market conditions warrant before pursuing a commercial coffee shop use tied to a future multiuse trail and redevelopment of the nearby Anderson Mill site. The ordinance passed after a motion; the transcript records one vocal opposition from Councilmember Stewart.

Council discussed parking and building‑code feasibility for the 1300 Glen parcel; staff said the applicant has not yet completed a residential feasibility design or explored building‑code compliance and parking configurations. Councilmembers noted the parcel is near existing industrial property and that the city has seen multiple requests to downzone industrial parcels in this area.

The council also approved Ordinance 25‑03 to rezone 1201 Gatson Street from Allied Industrial to RM‑10 Multifamily Residential on second reading. Staff said the 0.61‑acre parcel had an earlier commercial building that has since been demolished and that RM‑10 would allow the applicant to subdivide into three single‑family lots (minimum 5,000 square feet each), consistent with adjacent RM‑10 zoning and avoiding a spot‑zone situation. The planning commission recommended approval, and the measure passed unanimously on second reading.

Both items were described by staff as downzonings that move property from more intensive industrial classifications toward residential or mixed neighborhood uses; both had been approved on first reading at prior meetings and returned for required second readings. The planning commission recommended approval of both requests. Council members noted that additional rezoning requests in the corridor may follow.

Actions taken: both ordinances advanced on second reading and were approved by the council; the 1300 Glen/Lehi rezoning recorded one opposition in the transcript, while the 1201 Gatson rezoning passed unanimously.

Details on next steps: any change from commercial to residential use will require the applicant to meet applicable building and parking codes; staff said conversions or future commercial development will require further permitting and design review.