First reading: Rezoning request for 1506 East Morris Street draws staff recommendation to deny

This item was a first reading only; no action was taken. Ethan, a planning staff member, presented a request from CKD Properties and Investments to rezone 0.546 acres at 1506 East Morris Street (Parcel 12-241-13-003) from General Commercial (C-2) to Rural Residential (R-5) to allow up to two duplex dwellings.

Ethan said the property had been split from its parent tract and is surrounded on East Morris Street by commercially zoned and developed parcels. He told the council the joint comprehensive plan shows land with road frontage on East Morris is planned to remain commercial, and staff found the rezoning would conflict with the comprehensive plan. Ethan indicated the rezoning would place future 20-foot buffer obligations on adjacent properties that could restrict parking, driveways and buildings on those properties and could create a hardship for nearby narrow lots. For those reasons, staff recommended denial and the planning commission upheld that recommendation. Ethan said no public opposition was heard during the planning commission public hearing.

Because this was a first reading, the council took no vote on the rezoning request at the Nov. 3 meeting.