Commission approves rezoning of 2590 Peoples Street to MS1 for commercial use

The Johnson City Commission voted unanimously on April 9 to approve Ordinance 4937-26, rezoning 2590 Peoples Street from R3 to MS1 to allow commercial uses including restaurants and other MS1-allowed activities.

Planning Manager Sydney Hodges told the commission the site is a narrow sliver between Peoples Street and I-26 and that staff recommended approval with a condition requiring the developer to redesign a stormwater area so it does not occupy a water-and-sewer easement. The conceptual site plan shows a 42,000-square-foot building with parking; Hodges said a formal traffic study and detailed site-plan stormwater review will occur at the site-plan stage.

Public comment at second reading was limited. Dave Adams of Three Coventry Court said a restaurant could be an appropriate use but urged the commission to protect surrounding acreage for potential future residential development rather than allowing wholesale commercial conversion.

Action and next steps: The commission approved the ordinance on second reading during the public hearing; planning staff noted the conditional requirement to relocate the stormwater area out of the easement will be part of site-plan review.

Ending: With the vote the site is rezoned to MS1 subject to site-plan compliance with staff conditions; staff will pursue detailed stormwater/traffic review at site plan stage.