8-C-25-RZ Nathaniel (37919), August 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Deny this rezone request. There is no point in having DK-G, which encourages street activity with mixed uses, if Planning Commission continues to grant a change to DK-B for everyone who asks for it. This is at least the third case like this in recent years. We have this zoning to allow our downtown to grow in a way that will encourage active uses, not just make downtown the front doorstep to residential units. Im sure the applicant will argue, It isnt feasible, my response would be, Then dont do it. No one is making you do a project. Did they pay too much for the land? Did they run new numbers with a different equity and financing plan? Who knows, but a project CAN BE feasible when you adjust those variables. Allowing all of these DK-G to B requests is short sighted, even if it sits vacant for a few more years. As commented at Agenda Review, there is very close proximity to a future development that will complement additional mixed uses. Current uses of nearby property for surface parking is just that, current, a higher and better use for this entire area will include mixed use. I fear that if this request is granted, it will be the second of many dominos to fall to more DK-B and will remain a sleepy area where people walk down to the very types of buildings with mixed uses that should be here.
