TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Planning Commission
DATE: August 8, 2013
SUBJECT: title
An Ordinance Amending Ordinance Number 3100, being the Aurora Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map attached thereto, by rezoning property located at 637 E. Galena Boulevard from R-4 Two Family Dwelling District to NC Neighborhood Commercial
body
PURPOSE:
The petitioner, Herrera Tires and Auto Repairs, is proposing Rezoning Petition rezoning property from R-4 Two Family Dwelling District to NC Neighborhood Commercial located 637 E. Galena Blvd.
BACKGROUND:
review body date motion vote
Plan Commission: 8/7/2013 Conditional Approval Unanimous
Planning Council: 7/30/2013 Forward Unanimous
Planning Staff: 7/30/2013 Conditional Approval N/A
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the rezoning petition submitted by the petitioner as well as the public notice documents required and has found that the petition meets all of the applicable codes and ordinances.
This property is unique in the area. The tire shop is the only commercial development that is located on the south side of Galena Boulevard. The vast majority of the properties on this side of Galena are utilized for single family and multi-family uses. North of Galena the zoning is more mixed with B-2 and B-3(S) being kitty corner at the northeast corner of Galena and Union being the recent Walgreens development. Galena really has been a dividing line between the more commercial development that is on the New York corridor and the neighborhoods to the south. Neighborhood Commercial zoning has been chosen really to protect the residential nature on the south side of Galena. Staff is reluctant to rezone to B-2 in this area, by doing so a precedent could be established allowing for commercial encroachment in the future. Additionally the property in question would not be able to meet the setback requirements for B-2 zoning and as such would require additional zoning relief. The Neighborhood Commercial zoning will lock in what you see on the Plat of Survey and allow the property to be fully conforming. This will allow the property to become economically viable to lenders in the future and will keep the property useful in its current form. As can be seen in the Google Street View pictures provided in Attachment 1, the property is not appropriate to be utilized for residential uses and the rezoning will help prevent possible future vacancy and possible blight for the neighborhood.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The Planning and Zoning Division does not anticipate any impact to other City Department with the approval of this Petition.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff would recommend that the Planning and Development Committee Conditional Approve the Rezoning Petition rezoning property from R-4 Two Family Dwelling District to NC Neighborhood Commercial at 637 E. Galena Blvd. by Herrera Tires and Auto Repairs, with the following conditions:
1. That the owner/operator will keep all used tires, and new stock wholly within the building.
2. The owner/operator will prevent patrons from parking vehicles within the public Right-of-Way.
3. The owner/operator will have the parking lot striped to City Standard and maintain six (6) individually accessible parking spaces on the property at all times.
4. That the southern property line will be landscaped to provide a buffer for the adjacent residential property.
cc: Alderman Saville, Chairman
Alderman Irvin
Alderman Donnell
Alderman Hart-Burns, Alternate