Neighbors urge Summerville council to tie rezoning for proposed Jewish community center to construction

Neighbors asked the council to delay or condition a rezoning that would allow a Jewish community center on a commuter lot at 6th and South Gum, saying the proposed neighborhood mixed-use (NMX) designation is out of step with adjacent single-family historic neighborhoods and raises drainage and traffic concerns.

Peter Gorman, speaking during public comment, told the council the lot sits between a freeway and single-family zoning and that staff’s packet understated the distance to the nearest mixed-use district. "We strongly disagree. The proposed rezoning is inappropriate for our historic neighborhood," he said, and added that "there is a drainage creek on the north border of the property that flooded in 2015 and 2016." He asked the council to "enact an MOU with [the prospective buyer] that you will rezone the parcel once it is ready to begin construction" to reduce the risk of the parcel being sold later to a different developer who could build denser uses.

Greg Reichart, another nearby resident, echoed traffic concerns at the Magnolia/6th intersection and said neighbors want protections should the buyer later transfer the property.

Planning staff and council discussion during first reading noted that the property is under contract for a Jewish community center and that religious organizations may be permitted in certain residential zones. Staff said an MOU could be discussed before second reading but is not currently in place. Councilmember remarks indicated there is time to address neighborhood protections on second reading.

The item passed first reading unanimously, allowing council and staff to continue review prior to a future vote. Neighbors urged the council to require development commitments or follow-up agreements before rezoning becomes final.