|
What is it?
The Center Street area between 34th and 36th Streets is currently zoned as a General Commercial District, which is better suited for suburban business parks, requiring businesses to have their own designated off-street parking lots. The goal is to have this area rezoned as a Neighborhood Business District (NBD). Rezoning would change a number of restrictions:
NBDs are designed to encourage development in tight spaces within urban neighborhoods (like ours) by offering the property owners maximum flexibility to use the space. This makes it viable to build projects where it might otherwise not be cost effective. |
|
Risks: What to be aware of as we go forward.
Parking Overflow
Removing parking lot requirements means that as existing lots are turned into buildings and businesses, it's likely that patrons will park on residential streets instead. This is likely a long way off, but could become a challenge over time. This is why the Planning Department generally requires on-street parking for NBDs. We are also working on that (see the Road Diet page for details on this). We would hope to extend a lease agreement with Collector's Choice to continue using their lot as public parking for the whole area, but that's not guaranteed, as it's private property.
Little Control Over "Look and Feel" of Development
Minimizing regulations gives developers a lot of freedom to build on the property however they want... even if it's not what the neighborhood wants. In order to address this, the city may add extra design guidelines - called an "overlay" - on top of the base zoning. (The city's Urban Design Handbook gives examples of different overlays and the design guidelines they might include.) The risk with an overlay, however, is that it becomes too burdensome for developers to jump through the design hoops and they just don't bother. Our team is still considering what is the right balance for our neighborhood when it comes to managing the "look and feel" of new development, and we've been gathering input from neighbors on what the "non-negotiable" design guidelines might need to be.
Rewards: Why it's important for Center Street.
This will help with the community's vision for Diverse Local Businesses.
In order for anyone to want to invest on Center Street, we have to make it possible use more of the property for business activities, rather than parking. Allocating half the property to asphalt is not financially viable for developers, and unless this changes, the reality is that not much will change.
How You Can Help with Rezoning.
Rezoning must be requested by the actual property owners on Center Street. However, the Planning Department often refuses requests if they are concerned the change will negatively affect the neighborhood and neighbors will not support the change. Show that you support the change!
Sign up for the email list and keep an eye on your email.
Parking Overflow
Removing parking lot requirements means that as existing lots are turned into buildings and businesses, it's likely that patrons will park on residential streets instead. This is likely a long way off, but could become a challenge over time. This is why the Planning Department generally requires on-street parking for NBDs. We are also working on that (see the Road Diet page for details on this). We would hope to extend a lease agreement with Collector's Choice to continue using their lot as public parking for the whole area, but that's not guaranteed, as it's private property.
Little Control Over "Look and Feel" of Development
Minimizing regulations gives developers a lot of freedom to build on the property however they want... even if it's not what the neighborhood wants. In order to address this, the city may add extra design guidelines - called an "overlay" - on top of the base zoning. (The city's Urban Design Handbook gives examples of different overlays and the design guidelines they might include.) The risk with an overlay, however, is that it becomes too burdensome for developers to jump through the design hoops and they just don't bother. Our team is still considering what is the right balance for our neighborhood when it comes to managing the "look and feel" of new development, and we've been gathering input from neighbors on what the "non-negotiable" design guidelines might need to be.
Rewards: Why it's important for Center Street.
This will help with the community's vision for Diverse Local Businesses.
In order for anyone to want to invest on Center Street, we have to make it possible use more of the property for business activities, rather than parking. Allocating half the property to asphalt is not financially viable for developers, and unless this changes, the reality is that not much will change.
How You Can Help with Rezoning.
Rezoning must be requested by the actual property owners on Center Street. However, the Planning Department often refuses requests if they are concerned the change will negatively affect the neighborhood and neighbors will not support the change. Show that you support the change!
Sign up for the email list and keep an eye on your email.
