Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council tables large rezoning plan; members seek owner outreach and safeguards for homeowners
Summary
Council tabled a first‑reading ordinance (2026‑06) to rezone roughly 31 parcels from C3 to C2, citing concerns about bulk rezoning without owner outreach and a request to preserve grandfathered residential status after disasters; council asked planning staff to break the proposal into smaller sections and to clarify exclusions.
Council debated a proposed map amendment to rezone multiple parcels around Highway 150, West Main and Memorial Drive from C3 (central business) to C2 (neighborhood commercial). Several members urged caution, saying a wholesale rezoning of about 31 parcels could inadvertently displace long‑standing residences or create confusion for property owners.
One council member asked why a church‑owned residence was excluded from the change and requested that the property either be added or the reason explained. The member also proposed removing a clause that could remove a property’s grandfathered status after a fire or natural disaster; several colleagues agreed that taking natural disaster or fire out of the clause would help protect homeowners.
Planning Commission leadership and the mayor recommended breaking the large rezoning into smaller chunks, doing door‑to‑door outreach and holding focused hearings to reduce phone calls and community confusion. Council agreed to table the ordinance and asked staff and the planning chair to review parcels, notify affected owners, and return with recommendations, including preserving C3 along the core West Main area where the town envisions traditional downtown development.
A motion to table the multi‑parcel rezoning until further review passed.
