Commission holds first reading on rezoning for 2590 Peoples Street; public hearing set April 2

The Johnson City Commission completed the first reading of Ordinance 49-37-26 on March 5 to rezone 2590 Peoples Street from R-3 to MS-1, a change staff said would allow a roughly 4,200-square-foot building and uses permitted in the MS-1 district, including a restaurant.

Planning Manager Whitney Hodges told the commission the site is vacant, adjacent to the interstate and has water and sewer available; a traffic study will be required as part of building permitting. Hodges said the property's proximity to the interstate and existing commercial development informed staff's recommendation. Planning Commission recommended approval with a condition to adjust the stormwater management area to avoid conflicts with a sewer easement.

Resident Dave Adams, who had signed up for public comment on item 8.1, spoke earlier in the meeting and urged the commission to keep housing goals in Horizon 2045 at the forefront. Adams said successive rezonings in the corridor — previously a hotel and now a restaurant proposal — risk cumulatively eroding a compact-residential node and asked whether the future land-use map should be amended if the intent has shifted.

Commissioners asked staff to bring larger maps to the public hearing so the commission and neighbors can see how regional mixed-use and compact-residential designations relate on the ground. Hodges said the public hearing will be April 2 and the final reading is scheduled for April 16.

A motion to approve the first reading passed by roll call.