Perry rezones city parcels to government use and updates downtown C3 uses

The Perry City Council approved two land-use measures Nov. 18: a rezoning ordinance to convert multiple city-owned parcels to Government Use (GU) and a text amendment adding four uses to the C3 central business district table of uses, both by voice vote and with Planning Commission recommendations for approval.

Staff explained the rezoning as a housekeeping action to reflect the intended perpetual public use of properties such as the new Creekwood Park and several parcels acquired through nuisance abatement. Parcels named in the meeting packet included 808 Carol Street, three parcels on Hen Lake Road (1502, 1504 and 1506 Hen Lake Road as read in the packet) and 531 General Courtney Hodges Boulevard; planning staff provided tax-map numbers in the agenda. Mr. Duffy said the changes protect park and government-use sites that were not previously zoned GU.

On the text amendment, staff proposed adding the following uses in the C3 district as allowable by special exception only: (1) college or university, (2) outdoor entertainment, (3) convention and exhibition facility, and (4) artisan production/ art production establishments. Mr. Duffy noted there were no pending applications for these uses; the amendment is a conceptual update to the table of uses for future consideration.

Both items passed unanimously on second reading by voice vote. The meeting did not record individual roll-call tallies. The council treated both measures as planning-maintenance items intended to align zoning with current and anticipated city uses.

Votes at a glance: rezoning ordinance (9A1) — approved unanimously; C3 text amendment (9A2) — approved unanimously.