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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-3468-A Staff AnalysisJune 15, 1993 ITEM NO.: 2 Z -3468-A Owner: Applicant: Location: Request: Purpose: Size: Existing Use: S. Roger Horchow, Agent Gene Pfeifer Chicot Road (north of the railroad tracks) Rezone from I-2 to C-3 Commercial 1.76 acres Vacant SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING North - Industrial, zoned I-2 South - Vacant, zoned I-2 East - Vacant, zoned I-2 West - Vacant, zoned I-2 STAFF ANALYSIS The property in question, 1.76 acres, is located on the east side of Chicot Road, just north of the railroad tracks. The request is to rezone the site from I-2 to C-3. The land is part of a larger tract that will be purchased by the City for the Chicot Road/South University project. The City is in the process of acquiring 4.3 acres for the new roadway and 1.76 acres will be surrounded by city right-of-way. Some of the land to the north is in the floodway and a small portion of the area under consideration (4,200 square feet) for C-3 is also in the floodway. The City already owns the 1.4 acre tract adjacent to the railroad right-of-way. Zoning in the area includes R-2, 0-3, C-3, C-4 and I-2. At this time, the property is encircled by I-2 zoning. Along Chicot Road, the current zoning ranges from R-2 to I-2. Land use is made up of single family, office, commercial and industrial. The single family neighborhood is situated to the south of the railroad tracks, and should not be impacted by any zoning action to the north. Several of the nearby properties are undeveloped, including the I-2 land directly across Chicot. Because of the Chicot Road project and the reduced land area for development, a C-3 reclassification is a reasonable option for the site. The size of the property makes it more ` 1� June 15, 1993 ITEM NO.: 2 Z -3468-A Cont. appropriate for a commercial use, and not an industrial project. Rezoning the 1.7 acres to C-3 will not create any problems for the surrounding properties nor will it dramatically change the existing zoning pattern along Chicot. At this time, the adopted land use shows the property as part of a large industrial area. Because of staff's support for the C-3, a plan amendment is recommended for this part of Chicot Road. 1 AND USE PLAN ELEMENT The request is in conflict with the plan. The Geyer Springs West Plan shows industrial for the site in question. Since the plan was approved, the alignment for the University-Chicot connection has been determined. The resulting changes warrant a re-examination of the plan. The area south of the creek to the railroad (new alignment) should be shown as commercial. The physical constraints make industrial unlikely and commercial use would provide a step down in use as one approaches the single family area. Staff recommends using the creek as a dividing line between industrial to the north and lesser uses to the south. Then, the road and railroad rights-of-way provide a boundary to even lesser uses farther to the south. For the site in question, the plan should be amended to commercial. If the Commission approves the rezoning, an amendment to change the plan will be forwarded to the Board of Directors. ENGINEERING COMMENTS The designated floodway needs to be zoned OS and dedicated to the City. STAFF RECOMMENDATIDN Staff recommends approval of the C-3 and OS for the floodway. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Staff reported that the notices were required 15 days and a waiver of the to hear the item. A motion was made and hear the request. The motion was 8 ayes, 1 nay and 2 absent. 2 (JUNE 15, 1993) mailed less than the bylaws would be needed to suspend the bylaws approved by a vote of June 15, 1993 ITEM NO.: 2 Z- 468-A Cont. Gene Pfeifer was present and said that he was representing the applicant. There were no objectors in attendance. Mr. Pfeifer said that he had no problems with the OS zoning for the floodway area. Some questions were then asked about land use and zoning. Ron Newman, Planning Manager, responded to comments and discussed the land use plan element. There was additional dialogue between the Commission and staff about the proposed rezoning. Gene Pfeifer described the site and said it has been reduced from 6 acres to 1.7 acres because of the Chicot/University project. Mr. Pfeifer said the property was no longer a viable industrial site and was a logical commercial location. A motion was accepted by the Chairman to recommend approval of C-3 and OS as amended. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. 3