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Callaway approves first reading to rezone Primrose Street parcel to community commercial amid neighborhood opposition
Summary
The Callaway commission approved first readings of a comprehensive-plan amendment and a rezoning that would change a 2.71-acre undesignated parcel at 1023 Primrose Street to community commercial. Neighbors argued the platted lot was intended for community boat storage and presented a 52-signature petition against commercial zoning.
At a City of Callaway commission meeting, commissioners voted to approve first readings of two related measures to clear an 'undesignated' label and rezone a 2.71-acre parcel at 1023 Primrose Street to community commercial.
City staff reminded the commission that the parcel appears on the recorded East Bay Phase 1A plat from 2006 labeled for boat storage but was left without a formal zoning designation. "It was recorded as East Bay phase 1A in 2006," a staff member said during the presentation, and the city must now place a current land-use designation on the parcel to remove the undesignated status.
Why it matters: Neighbors said the plat label carried an expectation that the parcel would serve East Bay residents for noncommercial boat storage. Multiple residents asked the commission to preserve that intent, or to require limitations if the parcel is used commercially. "This is spot zoning. This will kill the neighborhood," said Matt Bullard, a Poston Road resident who presented concerns about traffic, property values and a petition from dozens of neighbors.
Supporters of the change and others who bought the parcel said the buyer invested in property consistent with the recorded plat or needs a reasonable land-use designation to operate a storage facility. "I call on you guys to vote for growth. Support a small business," Joel Smith said.
Staff response and limits: City manager/planning staff explained that 'community commercial' is the least intense commercial category under Section 15.550 of the land-development regulations and that the designation would not allow heavy automotive repair or a full-service shop as a permitted automotive repair facility. The manager said conditions such as fencing and buffers would be addressed later in the development-order process.
The vote: On the first reading of the comprehensive-plan amendment (Ordinance 1124) and the related rezoning (Ordinance 1125), the commission recorded roll-call votes and the first readings passed. Commissioner Peliter voted no on the first-reading rezoning; Commissioners Griggs and Ays and Mayor Henderson voted yes. The ordinances will return for a required second reading at the commission's next meeting.
What happens next: Because the parcel is platted as 'boat storage' on a recorded plat, staff noted the only way to change that recorded plat would be a replat application requiring affected owners' agreement; rezoning will set the city's land-use/zoning frame but not foreclose civil claims or private agreements between neighbors and the parcel owner.
Public comment and concerns: Residents repeatedly raised concerns about wetlands, road access, hours of operation, traffic safety and long-term succession — what the parcel might become if sold again. Several residents emphasized that if the property remains private commercial land, neighbors would have recourse through civil processes or future land-use petitions, but asked the commission to weigh the neighborhood impact before final adoption.
The commission scheduled second readings of the ordinances in two weeks.
