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Committee approves adding Berryville Avenue neighborhood design district to the comprehensive plan
Summary
The Planning and Economic Development Committee voted to amend the 2022 comprehensive plan to add a Berryville Avenue neighborhood design district focusing on pedestrian and bicycle safety, mixed-use redevelopment, zoning updates, and tools like TIF and tourism zones to support reinvestment.
The Planning and Economic Development Committee voted May 28 to add the Berryville Avenue neighborhood design district (NDD) to the city's comprehensive plan and to direct staff to follow up with zoning changes and implementation tools.
Staff said the NDD is a proactive amendment that does not dramatically change the plan's intent but provides more detailed guidance and tools for implementation, including updated zoning, potential tax increment financing (TIF), and tourism zone designations to support public infrastructure and private reinvestment. "The new NDD plan goes into much greater detail and also provides some tools to help implement what has been discussed," staff said.
Key goals presented include improving pedestrian and cyclist safety, improving vehicular circulation, encouraging mixed-use development that brings buildings closer to the street to create walkable retail, and promoting efficient use of underutilized parking lots. The I‑81 frontage was identified as a distinct subarea where lodging, conference uses and other flexible commercial operations might be appropriate without imposing a restrictive core area.
Staff emphasized that existing businesses along Berryville Avenue would be able to continue operating and that zoning revisions following the comprehensive plan amendment would aim to provide flexibility for existing enterprises like drive-thrus and gas stations while encouraging redevelopment where appropriate. Committee members discussed interim risks if owners cannot immediately meet aspirational frontage goals and were assured the plan would allow incremental changes and smaller improvements as interim steps.
A motion to approve the comprehensive plan amendment passed unanimously at the meeting; staff will proceed with drafting zoning text amendments and rezoning steps and will work with the Economic Development Authority on potential tourism-zone boundaries and financing tools.
The committee adjourned after approving the Berryville Avenue NDD amendment.
