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Commission approves change to allow non-vertical mixed use and higher densities in overlays despite chair's objection
Summary
The Woodstock City Planning Commission approved ZTA 20126 March 5 to allow non-vertical mixed-use development via conditional use permit in the GCVMU district and permit rezonings to increase density up to 25 units per acre in select overlays; the chair opposed the measure citing concern it could remove commercial uses.
The Woodstock City Planning Commission on March 5 approved Zoning Text Amendment 20126 to permit non-vertical mixed-use development in the GCVMU zoning district through a conditional use permit and to allow rezonings that could increase density to up to 25 dwelling units per acre in the Parkway and Ridgewalk overlays.
Planning staff described the amendment as a targeted tool to implement the Highway 92 LCI development standards and to create a pathway for mixed-use development in portions of the city where vertical mixed use is impractical. "This would, of course, go through the planning commission and city council," staff said, noting the conditional use permit would require a master plan and conceptual elevations to ensure compatibility.
At least one commissioner expressed concern the amendment could hollow out commercial character. "I do have a bit of a concern, what I call taking kinda taking commercial out of general commercial... we're saying that you don't have to have any commercial, essentially," the chair said. Planning staff responded that the CUP and master-plan requirements are intended to protect the commercial integrity of sites and that the amendment provides a vehicle for thoughtful redevelopment rather than an automatic removal of commercial uses.
No members of the public registered to speak. Commissioner Chase moved approval and Commissioner Ali seconded. The commission approved the amendment with all members voting in favor except the chair, who opposed the measure.
The amendment permits a midterm option for developers seeking mixed-use outcomes outside downtown, and staff said it will be followed later by work on a planned-unit-development zoning district to provide a longer-term, replicable framework.
