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Commission recommends rezoning for Barnes property and adjacent parcels to allow flexible reuse
Summary
The Kettering Planning Commission voted 3-0 on June 15 to recommend City Council rezone parcels on Far Hills Avenue and Shroyer Road from R‑2 to CC (Community Center) and to change the Barnes property’s development pattern to Suburban to allow expanded reuse and parking flexibility; a resident urged preservation of Van Buren School during public comment.
Kettering — The Kettering Planning Commission on June 15 voted to recommend City Council approve a rezoning of parcels at Far Hills Avenue and Shroyer Road that staff said would permit more flexible reuse of the Barnes building and allow limited parking closer to the structure.
Staff described the request (PC‑26‑010) as consistent with the city’s recently updated comprehensive plan and said the proposed CC (Community Center) zoning and pattern‑district change for the Barnes property would align the site with nearby office and institutional uses. Staff noted the change addresses strict parking-location rules that apply under the current Neighborhood pattern district and recommended the commission forward the rezoning to Council with a recommendation to approve.
During the public hearing, resident Jim Bruner of 3790 Sawyer urged the commission to consider repurposing Van Buren Middle School rather than demolishing it, suggesting adaptive reuse options such as apartments, condominiums or assisted‑living to preserve the building and increase the city’s tax base. Bruner said, “I don’t believe for a minute that it can’t be repaired… it could be used as apartments, condos, assisted living,” and asked the commission to consider reuse alternatives.
Commissioners closed the public hearing and the commission adopted findings of fact presented by staff. A motion to recommend the rezoning and pattern‑district change was made and approved in roll call (recorded in the minutes as yes votes by Mr. Markey, Mr. Ervice and Don Rothman). The recommendation and supporting staff report will be forwarded to City Council for final action.
Staff said that even if Van Buren is ultimately demolished by the school board, retaining the Barnes building through rezoning would help preserve local history and provide a transition area between commercial uses and nearby neighborhoods. The rezoning does not itself approve any redevelopment plan; it changes the zoning and pattern designation to allow a broader set of future uses subject to applicable conditional‑use review and other code requirements.
Next steps: City Council will consider the staff report and the commission’s recommendation at an upcoming meeting; any subsequent redevelopment proposals would require separate review.
