Planning & Zoning forwards rezoning recommendation for 130 West 400 North with conditions

The Gunnison Planning & Zoning Commission voted Aug. 12 to forward a positive recommendation to the city council for rezoning of 130 West 400 North from R-2 to R-4, after hearing the applicant and neighbors during a public hearing.

Applicant Albert Park told the commission the rezoning would allow townhomes rather than duplexes and said the proposed units would be roughly 2,000 square feet with two-car garages. “We’re trying to get them about 300,000,” Park said, framing the project as an effort to provide more affordable ownership opportunities in Gunnison.

Neighbors urged caution. Sam Roach, who owns property adjacent to the site, said he opposed the rezoning because of added traffic near a school bus stop and existing road conditions. “I’m in opposition to this,” Roach said, describing concentrated traffic flows on the local road and concern for children waiting for the bus.

Eric Hammer, who lives on the same block, said he supports expanded housing options for Gunnison but expressed reservations about road maintenance and grading for two-story units. “I think Gunnison needs that,” Hammer said, while asking what the city’s plan is for paving and for how the townhomes would be graded relative to existing yards.

Staff (Dennis) told the commission that several technical and design matters remain part of the subsequent development review. He summarized recommended findings and conditions that could accompany a favorable recommendation: require fencing along property lines where none exists, require submission and review of HOA documents during the development process, consider a reimbursement agreement for eventual road paving, and require compliance with the city’s building and landscaping standards.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend approval to the city council with the staff-recommended conditions and the addition of discussion items about fencing, HOA creation, and consideration of an owner-occupancy percentage. The motion was seconded and carried by voice/roll-call; commissioners voiced “Aye” and no opposed votes were recorded on the meeting transcript. The commission closed the public hearing before taking the recommendation vote.

The commission’s action is a recommendation only; the final decision rests with the Gunnison City Council. Staff indicated it will research any legal limits on specific conditions (for example, owner-occupancy percentage) before council consideration.