Commission denies land‑use change but approves rezoning to C2 for 304 East Highway Street

Fredericksburg — The Planning and Zoning Commission denied a proposed land‑use designation change for 304 East Highway Street but approved a rezoning from R2 to C2, forwarding the rezoning to city council for final action.

The applicant (a representative of the Dorothy KZ Family Trust) said the narrow parcel does not meet minimum site development requirements for residential use and has generated inquiries for commercial uses; the owner has listed the property for sale. Staff explained the request sought a land‑use change from medium‑density residential / mixed‑use community corridor place type to general commercial place type, followed by rezoning from R2 to C2. Staff recommended denying the land‑use change while noting no objection to rezoning to C2 because the mixed‑use community corridor place type can accommodate the C2 district and because neighboring properties already include C2 classifications.

Commissioners opened and closed the public hearing with no substantive public opposition recorded. The commission voted to deny the land‑use change (maintaining the mixed‑use community corridor place type) and then approved rezoning to C2; staff will present both actions to city council at its next meeting. Staff also committed to more clearly label maps and legends in packet materials and to offer neighbor outreach where appropriate.

Staff noted that rezoning to C2 allows the city to review future development through the site‑plan process and to impose conditions to manage impacts; the action is intended to make the property more marketable while keeping the overall place type framework intact.