From:  Jon R. Oliphant, AICP, Planning & Development Director
Subject:  Public Hearing – Request by Ed Zosky to rezone part of 500 School Street from R-1 to C-3
Date:  March 24, 2010

Ed Zosky operates a self-storage facility at 500 School Street. Mr. Zosky has proposed rezoning a portion of the lot immediately north of the self-storage facility from R-1 (Single- and Two-Family Residential) to C-3 (Service Retail). The part of the property to be rezoned would be that 170’ x 280’ piece adjacent to School Street and would not include the remainder of the interior piece currently zoned R-1. Mr. Zosky has not stated an intended use for the property, though it could be used for additional self-storage space. The subject property is the easternmost portion of Colonial Manor subdivision.

It should be noted that should the property be rezoned, the owner of the property plans to complete a plat of survey soon to attach this piece to the remainder of the self-storage facility property. Therefore, if the rezoning were granted, the entire subject lot would be zoned C-3 and the remainder of Colonial Manor would continue to be R-1.

The lot is within an area that contains a mix of uses. Colonial Manor is to the west and south. The properties to the north of the subject property are larger rural residential lots and are outside of the city limits. The property across School Street to the east is a large single-family lot that is zoned A-1 (Agriculture). In addition to the self-storage facility immediately to the south, another self-storage facility is located on Ragan Court with two other businesses. The west side of School Street is planned for Single- and Two-Family Residential. However, much of the School Street corridor is compatible for non-residential uses. The subject property appears more suitable for a commercial use than a residential use due to its location adjacent to an arterial road.

The preliminary plat for Colonial Manor subdivision indicates an east-west street (tentatively named Arlington Street) that would intersect with School Street through the subject property. It would be important to ensure that this ingress-egress is accessible whenever the remainder of Colonial Manor is built out. Mr. Zosky has indicated that he is comfortable with ensuring that the right-of-way for such a road remains if the rezoning is approved.

Staff recommends approval of the rezoning of part of 500 School Street from R-1 to C-3 provided that the necessary right-of-way remain to ensure the future construction of a road from School Street through Colonial Manor subdivision.

A public hearing will be held by the Planning Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, April 7.