15 - Zoning Change Commercial to Commercial with Specific Use Permit - Block 41-A Lots 1, 2 & 3 - 305 N. Main Street

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Item No. 15 TO: Mayor & Council FROM: John Godwin, City Manager SUBJECT: ZONING CHANGE, 305 NORTH MAIN DATE: June 4, 2019 BACKGROUND: Melissa Shafer, acting under authorization of the property owner, Ben Faber, is requesting a zoning change from Commercial to Commercial with an SUP for the purpose of operating a used car dealership on this 21,794 square foot lot. This property is located between a very busy North Main Street and 1St Street NW, fronting onto Graham. It is located across the street from the courthouse parking lot to its south, a church to its west, and retail uses to its east. It almost shares a location with a restaurant and an office. There are no significant traffic issues or floodplain concerns, and this lot has in the past been used for this same purpose. The future land use plan calls for Commercial to remain. STATUS OF ISSUE: A Special Use Permit is required for auto sales to ensure they are not placed in an inappropriate area, and also to permit the city to ameliorate against any specific issues relating to the use and the lot (s) for which it is proposed. In this case, we see no concern about the specific location and favor approval. However, the council consider a time limit on the use: over time we hope this area becomes an entryway into a busier and growing downtown. A previous car lot in the CA was granted five years and that is probably a good period for this one. An alternative is to grant the SUP for a shorter time, so that it expires the same time as the other one, allowing the commission to take them up together. The council might also consider requiring some improvements to the existing but very old and worn out parking areas, which do not have painted spaces. Following a public hearing at its regular meeting of June 3, at which the applicant spoke in favor, the planning and zoning commission unanimously recommended approval of this zoning request. RECOMMENDATION: Approve a zoning change from Commercial to Commercial -SUP, with the attached site plan as an enforceable exhibit attached to the adopting ordinance.