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Property owners urge zoning fixes, warn nonconforming status hurts leasing and lending
Summary
Property representatives told the CDC that removing previously permitted uses during last year’s rezoning has made it harder to market space and obtain financing; staff said the committee can pursue narrowly tailored ordinance changes to address those marketability concerns.
An owner representative told the committee that nonconforming zoning status reduces marketability and can limit financing options for landlords and tenants. "When tenants are searching for a new location... If you are not zoned for the use or it's a nonconformity, they will not consider you and will move to another district where they have certainty that they can operate," the representative stated, explaining why the owners asked that certain light-industrial uses be added back to the BC district.
Staff acknowledged the concern and described the proposed compromise intended to protect the district's long-term vision while addressing owner uncertainty. Township legal counsel and staff emphasized that re-establishing certain uses in code would reduce ambiguity for lenders and prospective tenants, but they cautioned that adoption requires standard public-review steps. The CDC directed staff to draft an amendment and return in September so the board can consider whether the proposed code changes sufficiently balance market needs and the comprehensive-plan intent.
