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Council approves land-use change and rezoning on Harvey Mitchell Parkway South to allow multifamily
Summary
After staff recommended denial based on earlier corridor policies, the council voted to amend the future land‑use map to Urban Residential (7–0) and to rezone roughly 8 acres to multifamily and protected natural area; the applicant said commercial market interest had been low and that multifamily was a pragmatic alternative.
The City Council approved a pair of related items (9.1 and 9.2) affecting about 8 acres along Harvey Mitchell Parkway South in the area between Dartmouth Street and Earl Rudder Freeway South.
Jeff Howell of Planning & Development Services explained the request: change the comprehensive plan future land‑use designation for roughly 7.2 acres from General Commercial to Urban Residential and rezone approximately 8.029 acres from GC/OV to MF (multifamily) and NAP (natural areas protected) for a proposed multifamily development. Staff recommended denial because of prior council direction to preserve commercial corridor land and because of interlocal/development agreements established in 2016–2017.
The planning and zoning commission had recommended approval 4–2. Applicant Doug French told council the site saw little market interest for big‑box commercial uses and that earlier inquiries had been limited to self‑storage and assisted‑living; he said multifamily offered a viable path forward. Several residents raised drainage and tree‑protection concerns; staff said development must meet city drainage standards and promised to address those concerns in the development review process.
Council approved the future land‑use map amendment 7–0 and then approved the rezoning to MF/NAP (vote recorded as unanimous). No one spoke during the public hearing at council; the applicant and staff answered technical questions. Staff will enforce development standards, drainage controls and site‑plan review during subsequent permitting.
