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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, October 07, 2009 Page 6 hand; and would be reviewed with the rules in place when considering any development as a permitted use for each project’s review and applicable standards. Chair Doherty closed the Public Hearing at 8:30 p.m. Chair Doherty spoke in support of the rezoning, given the guidance of the Comprehensive Plan for commercial zoning over a number of years, consistent with a substantial portion of the Rice Street corridor commercial zoning. Chair Doherty expressed confidence that staff had heard sufficient comment from the Commission and public and would remain mindful of tonight’s discussion if and when a development proposal came forward. Chair Doherty recognized the concerns of the neighbors related to potential diversion of significant commercial traffic from a County Road onto a residential street; but expressed confidence that sufficient anecdotal information was available for decision-making based on past and similar cases. Commissioner Wozniak spoke in support of the proposal. While being sensitive to the concerns of neighbors related to traffic and safety issues, Commissioner Wozniak noted that the parcel was located along Rice Street, a major commercial corridor and zoning it commercial seemed consistent with adjacent properties and the nature of the area. Commissioner Wozniak noted that, while not zoned for many years, B-3 was an appropriate zoning to meet the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Wozniak, however, noted that the 2030 Comprehensive Plan directed the City to engage the public in land use matters to the fullest extent possible; and opined that the City has a duty to put a mechanism in place to require developers to solicit comments from the public. Commissioner Wozniak suggested that the City post future development and/or redevelopment projects on the City’s web page. Mr. Paschke duly noted Commissioner Wozniak’s request. Commissioner Gisselquist spoke in opposition to rezoning of this parcel; based on his concerns that there remained too many unknowns with this issue and that potential rezoning seemed to be inconsistent with the wishes of the neighborhood. Commissioner Gisselquist noted that Rice Street was a heavily-traveled commercial district, and that the entire corridor would someday be commercial; at this time, there remained enough uncertainty about potential future use that he could not be confident voting for rezoning of the parcel. Commissioner Gottfried spoke in support of the rezoning, based on Comprehensive Plan guidance and tonight’s discussion. Commissioner Gottfried shared Chair Doherty’s confidence that tonight’s discussion and areas of concern had not been lost on City staff in their review and consideration of future redevelopment projects for this parcel. Commissioner Gottfried opined that it would be incredibly poor planning and development to have a commercial outlet onto Wewer’s Road; however, he recognized that there were no guarantees in place. Relative to the Comprehensive Plan and zoning purposes, Commissioner Gottfried opined that it made sense for this parcel to move toward commercial, through B-3 designation. MOTION Member Doherty moved, seconded by Member Wozniak to RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL of a REZONING of the property at 2587 Rice Street from the existing R-1 (Single-Family Residence) Zoning District to the proposed B-3 (General Business) Zoning District; based on the information and comments of Sections 5 and 6, and the conditions of Section 7 of the project report dated October 07, 2009. Ayes: 3 (Gottfried, Wozniak, Doherty) Nays: 1 (Gisselquist) Motion carried. Chair Doherty noted that the case was scheduled to be heard by the City Council at their October 26, 2009 meeting.