4545-4551 South Highland Drive rezone
Request to rezone three lots (0.95 acre) from R-2-10 to RM, allowing up to about 14 units versus about 7. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5-2; the council denied it 5-1 on February 18, 2021.
- Where it stands
- Denied
- Type
- Zone change
- Location
- 4545, 4549 and 4551 South Highland Drive
- Size
- 0.95 acres
- Homes
- 14
- Applicant
- Sequoia Development
Every hearing and vote
January 21, 2021 · City Council
Public hearing: rezone 4545, 4549 and 4551 South Highland Drive from R-2-10 to RM
Continued
The 0.95-acre site holds three homes; R-2-10 allows about 7 units and RM about 14, with RM height limited to 35 feet because the site is under an acre. The Planning Commission voted 5-2 in favor and staff found it consistent with the general plan. The applicants said the project would not add traffic to neighborhood streets, would have stricter setbacks and would provide moderate-income housing. In the work meeting members differed on whether a traffic study was needed now (one is required only above 100 peak-hour trips); concerns on left turns were deferred to site plan review. The hearing remained open.
- Applicant: Sequoia Development (Kevin Ludlow)
- Acres: 0.95
- Current zone → proposed: R-2-10 → RM
- Planning Commission: 5-2 in favor
February 4, 2021 · City Council
Continued public hearing: rezone 4545-4551 South Highland Drive from R-2-10 to RM
Continued
No one spoke and the hearing was closed, with a vote scheduled for February 18. In the work meeting, the mayor and Council Member Petersen said the decision should rest on appropriateness and consistency with the general plan, not revenue. The mayor said height limits are the same in both zones and did not think the project would create affordable housing; Council Member Gibbons noted density can already be doubled without a rezone and cited negative neighbor reactions; Council Member Quinn said a 14-unit building would look out of place; Council Member Petersen raised precedent and traffic. Council Member Fotheringham cited the Highland Drive small area master plan and the general plan; staff said the Planning Commission shares that view. The developer said it would preserve viable mature trees.
February 18, 2021 · City Council
Ordinance 2021-01: Rezone 4545, 4549 and 4551 South Highland Drive from R-2-10 to RM
Denied · 1-5
The 0.95-acre site has three single-family homes; R-2-10 would allow seven or eight units and RM up to 14. The Planning Commission voted 5-2 to recommend approval. Council Members Petersen, Quinn, Durham and Gibbons and the mayor gave reasons for opposing, including capturing unclaimed density, neighborhood character and community sentiment. Council Member Fotheringham supported the rezone, citing general plan consistency and nearby commercial uses.
- Acres: 0.95
- Current zone → proposed: R-2-10 → RM
- Planning Commission: 5-2 in favor