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Council approves two Clearwater Estates zone changes; allows casino special-review withdrawal
Summary
The council approved first readings for zone changes 1071 and 1072 at Clearwater Estates and accepted the applicant's withdrawal for Special Review 1002 (a proposed casino at 5545 Holiday Ave). Developers and staff discussed process timing, down‑zoning rationale and connectivity concerns.
During the Oct. 27 meeting the council considered multiple land‑use items in the Clearwater Estates subdivision and a special review for a proposed bar/casino.
On Special Review 1002 (a proposed bar and casino at 5545 Holiday Avenue), staff presenter Karen told council the zoning commission had recommended conditional approval but the applicant requested to withdraw after affiliated financing was reallocated. After opening the public hearing and noting no public comment, Council member Boyette moved to allow the applicant to withdraw the application; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
For zone change 1071 (portions of Lots 2 and 3, Clearwater Estates), Karen described the requested change from mixed residential NX zoning to N3 suburban neighborhood residential and the differences in allowable unit types and lot coverage. Developer representative Craig Dalton said the change responds to builders’ product preferences and noted, "timeline is one of the biggest costs to a development." Council members discussed density and fiscal impacts; Council member Gulick said he had reservations about lower density reducing long‑term tax base but supported the ordinance. After no public comment, Council member Kennedy moved to approve the first reading of ordinance for zone change 1071; the motion passed unanimously.
The council then considered zone change 1072 (additional parcels in Clearwater Estates) with similar explanations from staff and developers about minor reconfigurations and maintaining certain mixed‑use nodes. Developer Greg McCall said small commercial nodes remain at key intersections and that some private parkland will be preserved. Council voted unanimously to approve first reading of ordinance for 1072.
Council asked staff to follow up on process timelines and whether the code could be modified to reduce the need for repeated zone changes when Planned Neighborhood Districts (PNDs) are iterated by multiple developers.
