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Fraser council pulls proposed zoning change for Warfield parcel after residents, developer press for split zoning; industrial owners resist corridor changes
Summary
After weeks of planning commission work, councilors agreed to revert a recommended commercial rezone for the Warfield golf-course parcel and to restore a split front-commercial/rear-recreational designation; separately, owners in the Commerce/15 Mile industrial corridor successfully urged the council to retain heavier industrial designations where long-standing heavy uses exist.
The Fraser City Council on June 11 declined a planning commission recommendation for a full commercial rezone of a large undeveloped golf-course parcel and instead voted to restore a split designation — commercial at the front and recreational in the back — after property owners and long-time residents objected.
What happened: Planner Lauren (McKenna) presented the commission’s recommended ordinance updates and mapping changes. Several letters were in the record: one from the developer outlining a preferred commercial-general (CG) designation and one from the owner (Angela Bennett) opposing converting the entire parcel to commercial. At council, the Bennett family (owners), the prospective developer (represented by Joseph Puzzi) and multiple residents urged different outcomes; councilors said reverting item 4 to the original split zoning (recreational rear, commercial front) would preserve more local control while still allowing the property owner and prospective developer to pursue a planned unit development (PUD).
Industrial corridor reaction: In a separate but related part of the zoning map, multiple industrial owners from Commerce Drive and the 15-Mile corridor turned out in force, arguing that proposed downgrades from heavier to lighter industrial categories would imperil decades of industrial investment, crane-ready facilities and unique heavy manufacturing uses. Speakers said many businesses were not notified and asked the council to restore heavier industrial designations for certain parcels; after discussion council members voted to retain the heavier industrial classification in the specific parcels raised during public testimony.
Why it matters: The changes affect the city’s largest undeveloped parcel and a substantial industrial tax base. Owners argued that changing industrial designations could limit future buyers and leases for heavy manufacturing, while residents argued split zoning gives the city more control over what ultimately gets permitted on the golf-course site.
Next steps: Council directed staff to prepare revised ordinance language reflecting the split zoning for the Warfield parcel and to leave the identified industrial parcels as previously zoned; staff said those edits would return to council for final ordinance formatting and adoption in a follow-up meeting. Developers retained the option of submitting a PUD application for the Warfield site; councilors noted a PUD still requires public hearings and planning commission review regardless of base zoning.
Reporting note: Quotations and positions summarized from the June 11 record; formal ordinance language was not adopted the same night for the amended parcels and will be returned for further action.
