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Consider public testimony regarding, and an ordinance rezoning tracts of land totaling 0.20 acres located at the southeast corner of Pecan Avenue and Circle Avenue from SF-2 (Single Family - Standard Lot) zoning district to the MU-L (Mixed Use Limited) zoning district. (First Reading)*
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The subject property is surrounded on the east and southeast by MU-L zoning, and the property across the street to the north is zoned MU-2 (Mixed Use Downtown Medium Density), which allows larger buildings and greater density than MU-L. This proposal is consistent with the General Plan, which designates this area as Downtown Mixed Use.
The MU-L district is the least intense of the downtown mixed-use zoning districts. Permitted uses include single family, office, bed and breakfast, and very limited retail sales and services, such as boutique shops and a bakery. Its regulations are tailored for conversions of homes into non-residential uses rather than for new construction, but any new construction must be residential in nature. Setbacks, height restrictions, and architectural requirements mirror a single family zoning district rather than a commercial district. Strict restrictions are put on non-residential uses to prevent adverse impacts to surrounding properties and the neighborhood. As a compatibility measure, new non-residential uses are required to install a masonry fence along property lines that are shared with existing single family uses unless the owner of the single family property objects to it, or if there are other site conditions which render the fence of minimal benefit.
Staff has seen increased interest in local business owners seeking to relocate their offices to this area of downtown, drawn in by the proximity to the downtown core. Recent redevelopment in the MU-L district has been strictly for offices; there are no retail or bed and breakfast establishments. If the rezoning is approved, the current owner will not be forced to change anything. Shoul...
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