Holiday planning commission recommends denying rezone of three Highland Drive parcels

The Holiday City Planning Commission on Tuesday heard staff, the applicant and more than a half-dozen neighbors before voting to forward a negative recommendation to city council on a proposal to rezone three parcels on South Highland Drive from R-2 (two-family residential) to Professional Office (PO).

City staff opened the continued public hearing by saying the application covers three parcels totaling roughly 0.36 acres (county records list 15,681 square feet; the recorded plat lists about 16,000). The applicant asked for PO zoning to allow a small local architect’s office on the front parcel and to preserve or adapt the rear house, which the applicant said may also be considered for historical designation. The staff report referenced the Highland Drive Small Area Master Plan (2017) and noted that the PO zone includes standards intended…