Ordinance 3278-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

WHEREAS,THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS: 1. The purpose for the requested Comprehensive Plan land use map amendment and rezone is to provide for a change in allowed use of the subject property from medium density residential to neighborhood business. 2. This change will provide the opportunity to convert an existing nonresidential building to a small scale business that serves the neighborhood, which will minimize impacts to residential area to the east, as traffic and population in the area specifically, and greater community generally, continue to grow. 3. The location of the proposed zoning change would serve the needs of the nearby residential population,while minimizing negative effects from traffic and noise on residential areas. 4. The proposed change meets Policy 2.1.3 of the Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Element as follows: a. The Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan identifies 19th Avenue SE as a medium intensity mixed use corridor. Therefore the less intensive B-1 (Neighborhood Business)has been selected as the appropriate zone to implement this policy, after discussion with the applicant and affected Silver lake neighborhood. b. Conversion of land from residential to commercial use is discouraged in the Comprehensive Plan under land use Policy 2.1.3, with the exception of subsection(d)which states, "conversion of residentially designated properties to commercial use may be permitted for redevelopment of existing commercial uses where, (i)the redevelopment is necessary to preserve the economic viability of an existing commercial use that serves the community, (ii) the commercial redevelopment is part of a unified commercial development that includes coordinated architectural design, site and parking layout, landscaping, access, drainage, and utilities, and(iii)the redevelopment includes elements that address potential impacts on adjacent residential areas. In response to Policy 2.1.3., (i) This site has a long standing existing nonresidential structure on it,the site has not been used as a residential property, and allowing it to be used for neighborhood business purposes will help ensure its economic viability, (ii) The owner has stated his intent to see the building and its future use oriented to the surrounding neighborhood area, and(iii) because this property is located on the east side of a busy arterial corridor, it will likely see more traffic in the future. By the nature of the limited size of this site, any housing placed on it would be placed close to the right of way, so it would be relatively more impacted by noise and associated impacts. Also,the addition of limited commercial and office use on this site in particular, would benefit local residents, including those and others who may wish to enjoy the lakefront. - 2 -