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Council schedules public hearing on rezoning of 4136 South K; reduces required parking
Summary
The St. Francis Common Council set a public hearing and accepted the planning commission’s recommendation to rezone 4136 South K to B-2 with a special use for a tavern and second-floor dwellings, and voted to reduce required off-street parking from 62 to 41 spaces. Nearby business owners and residents told the council they oppose tavern hours and fear parking, noise and permitting issues.
The St. Francis Common Council voted May 19 to set a public hearing on the planning commission’s recommendation to rezone 4136 South K to B-2 general business with a special use permitting a tavern and second-floor residential units. The council also voted to reduce the site’s required off-street parking from 62 spaces to 41, a change the planning commission recommended.
The planning commission’s recommendation and the council’s scheduling of the hearing mean the council will consider final zoning action only after the public hearing is held and the item is returned for a subsequent vote. City staff clarified the tonight’s action was procedural: the council received the planning commission’s recommendation and set the public hearing date.
Nearby business owners and residents used the public-comment period to press the council for details. A resident who identified himself as Daniel, of 2438 East Spotsford, said he supports new restaurants but opposed granting a special-use permit to allow tavern hours, arguing later closing times would increase noise, traffic and late-night disturbance for neighbors. Mary, owner of InFocus Photography adjacent to the site, told the council her business has operated 35 years and warned that a reduction of parking by about 21 spaces would push vehicles onto neighborhood streets and harm nearby businesses. Jerry Brown, also of InFocus, said he is concerned that interior and exterior renovations at the property proceeded without permits and that tavern hours could draw a different late-night crowd.
Councilmember Debbie moved to approve the planning commission’s recommendation and set the public hearing; the motion passed. The council later approved the recommended reduction in off-street parking from 62 to 41 spaces. Paul, appearing in his role as city attorney, and Rebecca, the clerk/treasurer’s office representative, explained the procedure: the planning commission’s recommendation will be the subject of a public hearing, after which the council will vote on the underlying zoning change.
Opponents asked that their written and oral concerns be included in the record at the public hearing. Council members did not take a final vote on the rezoning or the special-use permit tonight; those determinations will occur after the public hearing and any subsequent council deliberation.
Next steps: the council will hold the public hearing at its next regular meeting; members of the public were reminded to reappear for the hearing if they want their comments officially considered in the zoning record.
