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Rezoning Application 2256 Lexington Ave N `/ L �vI.CSs /�r�lG2�2oy /�i4N�'a ►!!J� #8B The rezoning of the properiy to Bl Limited Business is appropriate as circumstances have changed on the properiy, so that commercial use of the properiy is now the best use of the property. For more than 40 years, the property has been used as a business, T`� Rymer School of Fine Arts Academy. During those years, physical changes were made to the property to accommodate business use. Specifically, the entire back yard was turned into a parking lot, separate offices were built on the main floor, the bedrooms were sound proofed to accommodate the commercial use and additional entrances were added to the building. Additionally the properiy is located directly adjacent to the on ramp to Highway 36 Iimiting the residential appeal of the property. The commercial nature of the properiy has e�sted for so long that � former owner and neighbors were a11 surprised to hear the property was not appropriate for commercial use. The properiy owners, and their agents made many representation prior to the purchase of the property that commercial use was allowed on the property. In fact, when the former owners were notified that commercial use was not allowed on the properiy they could not believe it. This properiy is similar to the properiy north of Highway 36 on Le�ngton which the City rezoned to allow office buildings to be constructed. We thus ask that the city grant this rezoning application at the best use of the property is for commercial purposes. #9A The applicant recently purchased the subject property based on representations made by the property owners and their agent that commercial use was allowed on the properiy. The representations seemed reasonable as the property had been used for over 40 years as a commercial properiy. The former property owners operated a business, The Rymer School of Fine Arts Academy, for over 40 years at the property. Over the course of those 40 years many modifications were made to the property to accommodate commercial use. For example, the entire back yard was replaced with a black top parking lot, additions were added to accommodate additional office apace and additional entrances were added for individual offices. Given these changes to the property, the highest and best use of the property is for commercial purposes. This is especially true given the location of the properiy. The properiy is directly adjacent to the on ramp to Highway 36 which significantly detracts from the residential use of the properiy. Real estate appraisers ha�e also indicated that the best use of the subject property is commercial use. See attached letter from Shirley Weidner. A meeting was held with residents of the neighborhood on June 20, 2001. Many of the residents were surprised that commercial use was not allowed as it had been ongoing for so many years. The neighbors were generally supportive of changing the Comprehensive Land Use Plan See the attached statements from the area residents. #9B No changes are proposed to the property.