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Subcommittee backs RO→T rezoning for Vine/Lexington but flags historic‑district concerns
Summary
The subcommittee referred petition 37,178 (rezoning a section between Vine and Lexington from RO to T) to the council with a neutral recommendation; staff said the change would permit single‑, two‑ and three‑family homes by right, could reduce the theoretical maximum unit count relative to an uncontrolled reclassification, and would limit structural alterations to historic homes by keeping density consistent with neighboring T districts.
The Zoning Subcommittee voted to send petition 37,178 — a map amendment to change properties between Vine and Lexington from Residential Office (RO) to T (residential) — to the City Council with a neutral recommendation.
City planner Jeff Cormier described the targeted area as part of the West End Historic District and said the RO→T change is intended to match the scale and character of surrounding districts while avoiding a reintroduction of high‑density Central Business District patterns. He noted that RO currently allows office use and multifamily by special exception, whereas T allows single‑, two‑ and three‑family dwellings by right. Cormier said the change would not automatically increase units beyond what lot size and dimensional standards permit, but it could change the regulatory pathway for some conversions.
Staff presented a parcel‑level analysis showing the area currently contains 32 dwelling units and that, under a broad transit‑community reclassification, the theoretical maximum could rise to about 90 units based on lot sizes — a number Cormier described as a maximum potential rather than a prediction. He also warned that conversions above three units can trigger building‑code egress and sprinkler requirements that might necessitate structural alterations in historic properties. "If you start doing that, you could also throw in sprinklers and other things once you get above 3 units," he said.
During questions, aldermen sought clarification about whether an existing office vacancy would force residential conversion (staff said it would not; a new office tenant could occupy the site), and about parcel‑level impacts. The City Plan Commission recommended approval, finding the T district would be compatible with the Plan of Conservation and Development. Alderman Asanteak moved to refer the petition to the council with a neutral recommendation; the motion carried.
What happens next: the map amendment goes to the full City Council. Staff said they can provide further parcel‑level analysis on request to quantify conversion potential more precisely.
