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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5218 Staff AnalysisAugust 22, 1989 Item No. 5 - Z-5218 Owner: James & Patricia King and William & June Walker Applicant: James K. Dickinson Location: 2911 & 2913 West 12th Street Request: Rezone from 11R-3" and "R-4" to "C-3" Purpose: Commercial development Size: 0.31 acre Existing Use: Single Family SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING: North - Single family and commercial, zoned "R-3" and "C-3" South Single family, zoned "R-3" and "R-4" East - Single family, zoned "C-3" West - Single family, zoned "R-3" STAFF ANALYSIS: This application involves two residential lots and the request is to rezone them from "R-3" and "R-4" to "C-3" for a retail use, auto parts and accessories. If the commercial reclassification is granted, the proposal is to combine the two lots in question with the two lots to the east that are already zoned "C-3" and create one unified building site for a single structure. The property is situated in close proximity to the West 12th and Woodrow intersection and both lots have single family residences on them. Based on a field check of the site, the two houses are structurally sound and appear to be occupied at this time as are the two residences to the east. As with many of the older neighborhoods, the zoning is very diverse and there is no established pattern. The existing zoning found in the area includes "R-3," "R-4,91 "R-5,11 "O-3 " "C-1," "C-3" and "1-2" with the two lots abutting "R-3," "R-4" and "C-3." Across West 12th, the existing zoning is "R-3" and "C-3." Land use is very similar and includes residential, various types of commercial uses and a church. The site under consideration adjoins single family on all sides and, in fact, the entire block is residential. 1 August 22, 1989 Item No. 5 - Z-5218 (Continued)_T The Stephens School Plan is the adopted plan for the neighborhood and the land use element shows all the lots in the block for single family use, including the two lots zoned "C-3." Staff's position is that the plan's concept needs to be maintained and cannot offer support for the proposed commercial reclassification. Allowing the commercial line to move to the west could have an adverse impact on the surrounding properties and establish undesirable precedent for the neighborhood. The block is working for residential uses and the plan's direction should be reinforced by denying the requested reclassification. One final item that needs to be mentioned is the potential removal of good housing to allow a questionable commercial development. Some thought needs to be given to the cost of displacing residential uses versus the benefits gained from allowing a commercial use on occupied residential lots. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: None reported. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends denial of the "C-3" rezoning request. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (August 22, 1989) The applicant, Jim Dickinson, was present. There were several interested persons in attendance. Mr. Dickinson said the existing structures were in fair condition and then described the area's zoning and land use. He submitted several photos to the Commission and said Chief Auto Parts was the proposed user for the property and they would have a maximum of seven employees. Mr. Dickinson said Chief was a neighborhood oriented business and the site would be well maintained. He also indicated that the tax base would be increased to approximately $3600. Mr. Dickinson said Lots 1, 2 and 4 were rental property and Lot 3 was owner occupied but was in bankruptcy court. Peter Hornibrook, a real estate agent, discussed the request and presented some letters from a church and neighbors supporting the request. He then proceeded to read from one of the letters which indicated that West 12th and Woodrow was one of the worst intersections in the City and the rezoning would help cut down on crime. 2 August 22, 1989 Item No. 5 - Z-5218 (Continued) Jim Dickinson spoke again and said the site had good access because of its being on a corner. He also indicated the property could be replatted into one lot. Randall Mitchell, owner of the lot directly to the west, said he had some problems with the proposed use (auto parts) because he purchased Lot 5 for residential use. Mr. Mitchell told the Commission that he made application to the City for a rehabilitation loan and his plans were to rehabilitate the structure into two rental units. Jim Dickinson said that he was willing to increase the landscaping along the west side of the property. He also said that Lot 4 would primarily be a buffer area and provide adequate separation between the residential and commercial uses. Randall Mitchell said he was concerned with noise and if the rezoning would have any impact on getting the grant from the City. Mr. Mitchell also said that he would not want to live next to an auto parts store. Steve Canada with Chief Auto Parts told the Commission that all the store activity was within the building and no auto service nor tool loaning was permitted. Mr. Canada said Chief would create less noise than the Circle K on the other corner. Jim Dickinson then indicated that a 30 foot buffer along the west side of Lot 4 would be provided with a fence, new sod and plantings. At this point Ed Stanfield, the City's Community Development Block Grant manager, addressed the Commission and answered several questions about the rehabilitation grant. Mr. Stanfield said the program was for investor owned rental property and the rezoning would not effect the City's decision on the grant application. He went on to say that the money, technically, was not a grant but a loan and explained the details of the program. Comments were offered by various individuals and Mr. Mitchell said that some rehabilitation was already taking place in the neighborhood. 3 August 22, 1989 Item No. 5 - Z-5218 (Continued) A motion was made to recommend approval of the "C-3" rezoning conditioned upon: (1) a one -lot replat being filed; (2) a 30 foot buffer on the west side of the property which is to be replanted with sod and landscaped; (3) installation of an opaque fence on the west line; (4) the 30 foot buffer remaining at the same elevation as the current elevation except for minor shaping on the frontage to transition from the street level; and (5) a right-hand turn lane on West 12th Street is to be installed. (All of this was substantially shown on the site plan submitted to the Commission for Chief Auto Parts at West 12th and Woodrow dated August 15, 1989.) The motion was approved by a vote of 6 ayes, 1 nay, 3 absent and 1 abstention (Kathleen Oleson). 4