Planning commission recommends rezoning of 101 Popler Street to reflect long-running commercial use

The City of Clinton Planning Commission on June 10 recommended that city council rezone 101 Popler Street (tax parcel 901-37-9-025) from R2 residential to an Office & Professional designation to reflect its long-standing use as a neighborhood convenience store.

Planning staff told commissioners the property, in the Mill Village, has functioned as a commercial enterprise for decades and that the request would align zoning with existing use. "Although the parcel is currently zoned R2, it has been used commercially for as far back as I can remember," planning staff said during the public hearing.

Property manager Mr. Patel, speaking for the owners, said he has managed the store for 15 years and is planning to add a retail building next to the existing store. "I'm running that operation since 15 years," Patel said, explaining the request to regularize the zoning.

Commissioners discussed past on-site fuel pumps and the potential cleanup costs such tanks can require. When a commissioner asked whether a future gas station would be permitted under the requested O&P zoning, planning staff reviewed the code and said, "No, it actually ... says prohibited uses: gas station," noting that a different commercial designation (C3 or C2) would be needed to allow a gas station.

To preserve flexibility for the applicant, the commission moved that it recommend rezoning to Office & Professional and, if the owner prefers it, to recommend C3 (general commercial) instead. The commission forwarded that recommendation to city council for action.

Next steps: city council will receive the commission's recommendation and consider the rezoning in its legislative process.