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Council reviews west‑downtown overlay to guide mill‑site redevelopment
Summary
Planners proposed a west‑downtown overlay that rezones targeted parcels to a central business base with overlay criteria (conditional uses, site‑specific parking) to encourage redevelopment of the old mill area while allowing existing businesses to continue operating.
Bolton & Mink planner Jeff Matsky presented a proposed west‑downtown overlay intended to guide redevelopment of the old mill area and adjacent parcels just north of Main Avenue. Matsky said the overlay would rezone the targeted area to central business (B1) with an overlay that preserves transitional uses and allows case‑by‑case modifications through conditional and interim-use permits.
The overlay is designed to let existing uses continue while incentivizing redevelopment that is more "downtown‑like." Matsky said the overlay would let council and staff attach site‑specific conditions — for example, tailored parking plans, screening or hours of operation — to balance unique site constraints (large parking lots, limited street parking west of the rail line) with downtown design goals.
Council members discussed examples such as a rail-car repair use at the mill and businesses with large parking areas that do not fit a typical B1 pattern. Matsky emphasized the overlay's flexibility: "You can name it whatever overlay district...in that area you could allow existing work to be allowed...but what you're trying to do is incentivize redevelopment of the area that those comply with either your B1 zoning and you do it through a conditional use or an interim use permit." The proposal avoids sweeping immediate rezones while creating a framework for incremental change.
Staff asked for feedback on parking customization and the overlay's boundaries; they said some lots would require rezoning while others might proceed via conditional uses. There were no formal votes; staff will refine overlay language and present it in future hearings as part of the UDC adoption process.
