Applicant told to pursue rezone for 26 Gear Street after planning commission preliminary approval

David Kono, who said he had received preliminary approval from the planning commission for a conditional-use permit at 26 Gear Street, asked the council why the item did not appear on the council agenda. Planning staff and council explained that the property is in a residential zone and that commercial activity is not permitted there except for home-based businesses. Because the proposed use is not home-based, staff advised that the appropriate path is to initiate a rezone application.

A planner (Brad, speaking in the meeting) described the typical steps: submit a rezone application, the planning commission will hold a noticed public hearing (neighbors within a statutory radius are notified), the commission will make a recommendation and the city council will then hold its own public hearing and up-or-down vote. The planner said the council could pursue rezoning if they wished, but warned against a citywide amendment to the use table because that would change policy across the city.

Council members asked questions about property size, parking requirements and adjacency to existing commercial lots. Staff and council suggested holding rezone hearings after the incoming council is seated in January so the new members are part of the process. The applicant said he is under contract to buy the property contingent on receiving necessary approvals and that the intended use is a small, state-licensed used-car dealer requiring minimal on-site vehicle presence and three stalls with a sign and a locked filing cabinet.

No rezone or CUP final action was taken at the meeting; staff advised next steps (submit rezone application, planning commission notice, then council hearing).