Westwood land not rezoned
More woes for Westwood. Residents of that area once again converged on McMinnville City Hall. This time it wasn?t to stop the building of a bridge, but to stop the future building of apartments in the area.
A proposed rezoning could allow building a 52-unit apartment complex on the corner of 6th Avenue and Morrison Street, or apartments for the elderly. However, that proposal was rejected recently by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The land proposed for rezoning is owned by Westwood Church of Christ and is located directly across the street from the church. The request asked to rezone from R-1 low-density residential to R-3 high-density residential. The change to R-3 means there could be far more housing units per square foot.
? R-1 zoning allows single-family detached dwellings. Prohibited are mobile homes, two-family dwellings and multi-family dwellings. At the lot?s current size, the land could hold at least six houses.
? R-3 zoning allows single-family detached and two-family attached dwellings, multi-family dwellings and apartments, elderly housing and residential homes for the aged. At the lot?s current size, the land could hold up to 52 units.
Although Westwood Church of Christ representative James Priestly denies any plans by the church to develop or sell the land, he did add that the church would be at a disadvantage, if there were plans, if it isn?t changed to R-3.
?There is a disadvantage to try and sell or develop the property,? Priestly said. ?If the land were for sale, we are also at a disadvantage on being able to sell it. This change would give the future owners a little more flexibility. Right now, it is just a very nice piece of property in Westwood.?
The land is currently being cut for hay two times a year and has a monument to F.C. Boyd Jr.
The surrounding area is R-1. Because of that, the idea didn?t receive a warm reception. One of those not happy with the change is Alderman Billy Wood who said, ?I wish the duplexes that are there now weren?t. I know those were done before you guys or any of us were around so it?s water under the bridge. Me personally, if it does go through the planning commission and goes to the board, there is no way I could support it.?
Other arguments to changing the zoning included the congestion 52 units would make, drainage problems, increased crime and diminished property values.
?We really don?t have a plan to work with here,? said zoning commission member Scott Wilson. ?We really don?t know what we are allowing. And if we do rezone, it?s wide open. Without knowing, we are at a higher risk. Without a really solid plan, other than trying to make it more appealing to sell, to me it sets off red flags.?
Sitting in on the session and voicing his disapproval was Mayor Royce Davenport.
?All the training I?ve had as an elected official tells me this is wrong,? said Davenport. ?I think spot zoning leads to all kinds of problems. I regret that we can?t do something to help the church with their property but it?s not right to hurt other people. I probably will not vote but if I did, it would be against.?
The zoning commission made the recommendation to not rezone. Even though the request isn?t recommended, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen will still make the final decision. However, the request isn?t expected to pass when it does make it to the board.
?I might point out that three members of the board have spoken tonight against it out of seven,? said Davenport referring to himself, Alderman Wood and Alderman Donald Hillis, a commission member. ?Although it can be brought before the board, it isn?t likely to pass.?