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Commission advances conservation and rezoning package for city-held parcels including Fishers Island
Summary
The commission approved a package of first-readings and set second hearings for multiple ordinances to change land-use and zoning on recently purchased parcels (Beacon Street/East Park and Fishers Island) to recreation/open-space and government-use categories to preserve them.
The City Commission on Jan. 27 moved forward a set of ordinances to change land-use and zoning on several city-acquired parcels to protect them for conservation and public use.
Amy Skinner, director of Planning and Building, presented a package of ordinances (2026-03 through 2026-07) to amend future land-use map designations and rezoning on properties commonly described as the Beacon Street/East Park parcel and several parcels associated with Fishers Island. The requested changes shift upland acres to recreation/open space and waterward acres to open-land conservation, and place upland areas into government-use zoning where appropriate.
Skinner said the Planning & Zoning Board reviewed and recommended the changes and that the city’s conservation program will prepare land-management plans limiting future development. "Our open land conservation land use category is our most restrictive land use category; it is virtually undevelopable," Skinner said.
Commissioners praised staff for pursuing the property purchases and discussed ex parte communications; several motions were made to set the items for second reading and public hearing. The commission also approved a rezoning package for approximately 54.67 acres associated with the Fish Island Preserve to align zoning with the recreation/open space land-use designation.
No substantive uses were approved at the Jan. 27 meeting — the items were introduced or set for second reading as required — but commissioners described the acquisitions as a major step toward preserving green space and marshland. Staff said land-management plans and any conservation restrictions would be developed and returned to the commission for oversight.
The commission passed motions to move the introduced ordinances to second reading and public hearing, and several roll-call votes recorded unanimous support to schedule the next steps.
