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Commission debates changing Georgia Ave. overlay after Gustafson inquiries; residents request inclusion
Summary
Commissioners discussed whether to change a business overlay on Georgia Ave. to allow housing after a developer expressed interest; staff reported no application filed and residents requested their properties be included if the overlay is changed.
City Planner Claire Stickler told the Planning Commission on Jan. 27 that no application or site plan had been received for the KC Gustafson development on Georgia Ave. Commissioners debated whether altering the overlay from business to residential simply because a developer is proposing housing would be short-sighted, noting the developer purchased the property when it was zoned for business.
Commissioners asked Stickler to check whether Gustafson had tried to recruit a business tenant before pursuing a zoning or overlay change. Diane Miller and Ray Kennen spoke during the discussion to request that if the overlay is changed to allow housing and smaller lots on Georgia Ave., the overlay of their properties also be included.
No formal motion to change the overlay or to rezone properties was made at the meeting; the discussion directed staff to gather additional information about Gustafson's outreach to potential businesses and to report back to the commission.
The conversation underscores local sensitivity to changing commercial frontage to residential uses and the need for staff analysis before any formal application or recommendation.
