Park Drive rezoning moves to second reading after brief public hearing

City Council opened a public hearing on Jan. 13 for a proposed rezoning of parcels along Park Drive and advanced the legislation to a second reading.

Community Development Director Alaina Geres explained the application by Derrick Adams to rezone two parcels from B‑2 (general business) to B‑3 (central business) so existing single‑family homes would be permitted and could be rebuilt if damaged. Geres noted the Planning Commission unanimously recommended rezoning 498 Clay Street to R‑3 (attached single‑family/townhouse district) to match surrounding residential properties.

Council members asked clarifying questions about zoning classifications, the ability to rebuild homes under current rules, adjacent property uses and the three‑reading legislative process. City Manager Chris Lohr said permitting timelines made immediate rebuilding unlikely and that he did not anticipate interim issues.

Mayor Randy Winkler opened the public hearing; applicant Derrick Adams spoke in support, identified himself as the applicant and gave his address as 509 Park Drive, saying the current zoning would prevent a home from being rebuilt if destroyed. No other members of the public spoke, and the Mayor closed the public hearing. Council confirmed the rezoning ordinance will be read a second time on Jan. 27.

Why it matters: The rezoning would align uses on Park Drive with surrounding neighborhoods and remove a restriction that staff said could prevent rebuilding of single‑family homes under B‑2 rules. The Planning Commission’s recommendation to rezone 498 Clay Street to R‑3 would make that parcel consistent with adjacent residential lots.

Next steps: Ordinance 1‑26 will return for a second reading on Jan. 27, 2026; staff said further public comment and council deliberation will follow that reading.