Neighbors Oppose Duplex Rezoning; Planning Commission Forwards No Recommendation

The Area Planning Commission voted to forward no recommendation on a request to rezone a lot at the southeast corner of North 14and a half Street and Spang Avenue from R-1 single-family to R-2 two-family, after several nearby residents and the city council member for the district urged denial.

Staff told the commission the petitioner (identified in staff materials as WTHKMR, LLC, Mike Rogers) seeks to use a subdivided lot approved in July 2025 for a duplex. Planning staff said the parcel is in a neighborhood conservation district, noted that parking must be hard-surfaced and approved by the Department of Engineering, and recommended site-plan approval by Engineering as part of any favorable action.

Neighbors testified strongly against the rezoning at the public comment microphone. "We have a signed petition," said Tracy Sutton, who lives at 4230 North 14and a half Street, directly across from the property, adding that the duplex would "stand out like a sore thumb" in an older, single-family area and would worsen traffic on the nearby stretch of Spang Avenue. Donna Chapman, who said she has lived in the neighborhood for 53 years, told commissioners that small children live on the block and that a single-family home would better fit the area.

Cheryl Lottermilk, identifying herself as the city council member for the district, told the commission she had spoken with the petitioner and "couldn't quite support it," saying she would prefer single-family development in that location.

The petitioner declined the commissions offer to respond at the hearing. After discussion the commission made a motion to forward "no recommendation" on the rezoning request; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

The planning commission's action forwards the matter to the next step in the local approval process; the City Council will receive the recommendation and may hold further hearings or act on the rezoning request.