Planning commission approves rezoning for duplex near 8th and Main, sends recommendation to city council

The Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning a small vacant lot near South 8th Avenue and Main Street to allow construction of a duplex, forwarding the item to the City Council for final action.

Commissioner Holder, Commissioner Kerr and Commissioner Jackson voted in favor; Vice Chairman Knight cast the lone no vote. The commission’s recommendation does not itself rezone the property; the City Council will consider the commission’s referral at its meeting next Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

Staff told commissioners the parcel currently appears inconsistent with the city’s future land use map, and staff had recommended denial on that basis. The applicant identified himself as Bo and said the lot has been vacant about 16 years after an earlier structure was demolished. Bo described the proposed building as a single structure 30-by-60 feet (roughly 1,800 square feet total), with two 900-square-foot units (one bedroom, one bath each).

Commissioners debated the long-term implications of rezoning in an area shown as future commercial versus the present pattern of adjacent residential (R1) parcels. Several members said commercial development is unlikely at the dead-end site because of limited drive-by traffic and the nearby railroad, while others raised concerns about whether the change would amount to spot zoning. The commission agreed the adjacent residential designation reduced that risk and voted to approve the recommendation to council.

The commission’s approval is a recommendation; the City Council will hold the final hearing. Staff asked the applicant and interested parties to attend the council meeting to answer any questions.