Zoning Department considers changes
After receiving three calls regarding the removal of at least one dilapidated house in an R-4 district and putting up a duplex, the Planning and Zoning Department discovered a problem that doesn’t exist in other zones.
In each city district, 11 in all, each of them allow for other uses and special exceptions. For instance, in the R-2, Medium Density Residential District, uses can be single-family detached and two-family dwellings. Under special exceptions, uses can include multi-family dwellings.
However, in the R-4 district only mobile homes and single family dwellings are allowed. Because of this, anyone who lives or owns land that is zoned R-4 is strictly limited in their use of the property.
Planning and Zoning will take a look at the wording of the R-4 district and changes will be recommended at the next meeting. Those changes could include allowing duplexes.
The situation was presented a Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission meeting held Monday.
During the meeting, members gave their approval for two special exceptions. One will allow a new business in McMinnville and the other will allow additional residential units.
After being petitioned by Doug Seaborn, the board has allowed him to open up a Yoga Center at his home at 104 Lillian Street. Under the current zoning, this property is listed under current customary home occupation.
Because the home meets all the requirements for operating a customary home occupation, the Department of Planning and Zoning recommended the request be approved. However, an inspection by a city inspector for adequate parking facilities must be done at the site.
Multi-family housing will be allowed at 488 N. Chancery Street after a petition was made by Randall Dunn. The property will have three residential units.
The area is in a commercial district. However, under special exception, multi-family housing is allowed but duplexes are not. When available, they must be offered as multi-family housing.
Because the applicant meets all the necessary requirements, Planning and Zoning recommended the request be approved.
The Planning Commission approved two zoning changes:
‘ The property on 1002 Red Road, currently zoned R-4, which is a residential mobile home district, was approved for a change to I-1, light industrial district.
‘ The area between Mullican and Hobson Streets, currently zoned R-5, which is a residential-commercial district, was approved for a change to C-2, general commercial district.
Unlike the special exceptions granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals, the requests granted by the Planning Commission must be approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen after a public meeting is held for the zoning changes.