Council denies rezoning for 540 Raymond Road after neighborhood opposition

The Jackson City Council on Feb. 23 voted to deny a rezoning request for 540 Raymond Road that would have allowed the conversion of a neighborhood shopping-center suite to a roller-skating rink.

Esther Ainsworth, the city’s zoning administrator, told the council staff recommended denial because there had not been a "substantial change in the land use character of the surrounding area" to justify rezoning from C2 (Limited Commercial) to C3 (General Commercial). She also said the planning board voted to deny the request.

Council members raised complaints about the site’s operating history. "That individual ... has been issued dozens, if not a 100 or so violations in the past," said Council member Mr Foote, describing police calls, litter and noise tied to the property. Ainsworth said the police calls for service to that address were numerous and increased over time, a factor the city considered when reviewing use permits.

Legal counsel and staff also noted there was inconsistent or unclear paperwork from the applicant’s attorney about withdrawing or seeking a continuance; staff said no formal written withdrawal had been filed by the applicant.

A motion to deny the rezoning was moved and seconded and the chair announced the tally as "4 in favor of denying, 2 opposed." The council’s action leaves the property zoned C2; staff noted that a denied rezoning generally prevents another rezoning request on the same parcel for one year unless procedural requirements are met.

The council moved on to the next docket items. No new public testimony for this item was heard at the council meeting because only the applicant’s attorney and the applicant had testified at the planning-board hearing and there were no new speakers who had previously spoken at the planning board to present today.