Committee approves rezoning of 1319 Bigley Avenue from light-industrial to village commercial

The Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee voted to rezone a parcel at 1319 Bigley Avenue from I-2 (light industrial) to C-8 (village commercial).

The chair opened the item by reading the bill and confirming a quorum. A staff member explained the recommendation, saying there is a map in the packet showing the rezoning area and noting, "this area is zoned I-2" and that "the interesting thing about I-2 is that you can't have a dwelling in an I-2." Staff added that the neighborhood is largely residential and mixed-use commercial, and recommended rezoning to C-8 to allow smaller retail scale or duplex uses.

A committee member urged support for the rezoning and described local context: "This house has been sitting empty for 35 years," she said, adding the property had been for sale and that the only outside buyer interest had been from "an out of state used car dealer," which the neighborhood did not want. She noted the lot is adjacent to a Little League ball field and said a duplex or small-scale development would be more appropriate for the block. Staff also noted the petitioner, Derek Miller, was present in the audience.

A committee member asked whether rezoning to C-8 would be flexible enough for various future uses and raised concerns about the condition of the existing house, saying damage and theft made rebuilding difficult and that tearing down and rebuilding might be necessary. The chair reminded the body that the decision was to rezone the parcel, not to approve specific building plans.

A motion to pass Bill 8063 was made and seconded. The chair called the vote; members voiced "aye" and the chair declared, "the ayes have it." The motion passed and the parcel will be rezoned from I-2 to C-8 as presented.

The committee took no additional formal actions on design or permit approvals; any specific development proposals will require separate permit review.