Downtown CC-1 zone and revitalization

Every hearing and vote

1. August 4, 2020 · City Council work session

   Downtown revitalization study

   Discussed

   Sant and Brightwell said revitalization efforts have stalled for 20 years because of fragmented ownership; they recommended the four-point Main Street approach, starting near Church Street to 100 East and 200 West where a developer is interested, buildings up to about 102 feet with ground-floor commercial, a parking analysis, smaller CRAs pitched to the school district and putting the effort under the RDA. Barnes and Christiansen opposed closing Merchant Street. Mayor Frost said no money was budgeted for a project manager; Taylor and Carroll favored a staff economic development role, Barnes did not, and Shelton wanted zoning first. Consensus: have Senior Planner Adam Olsen and the Planning Commission draft a residential component for the CC-1 zone and define the job.

2. October 13, 2020 · City Council

   CC-1 Central Commercial zone amendment allowing downtown housing

   Approved with conditions · 4-1

   Ordinance 2020-10-54 amended Section 17.4.401 to allow multifamily housing above or next to commercial uses in the downtown CC-1 zone and dropped uses the Planning Commission considered unsuited to downtown, such as hospitals and car lots. The council struck a line capping buildings at the zone's edge at two stories after Planning Commission Chairman John Woffinden said the commission never intended a height limit; added an exception to setback rules for gas pumps; and allowed drive-through-only businesses such as Swig while barring drive-throughs at sit-down restaurants. Council Member Shelton wanted zone boundaries settled first and warned of failing traffic at 100 East and State Street; members agreed to hold a joint session with the Planning Commission on boundaries (held Dec. 1). Existing minor auto repair shops are grandfathered.

   • Height cap at zone edges (two stories) removed
   • Drive-throughs barred except drive-through-only establishments
   • Shelton voted no over transportation master plan concerns

   Moved by Council Member Barnes, seconded by Council Member Christiansen. Vote: 4-1; Council Member Shelton voted no

3. December 1, 2020 · City Council work session

   Downtown CC-1 zone boundaries (joint with Planning Commission)

   Discussed

   Senior Planner Adam Olsen showed a map that would square off the downtown CC-1 zone along streets, adding areas such as the Tabernacle block and land along 100 South to 100 West, and removing two homes. Council Member Shelton worried about tall housing behind or across from single-family homes and suggested a feathered height approach or overlay; Commissioner Christine Andersen and Council Member Carroll favored using back lot lines as the boundary so 100 South keeps homes on both sides. Commissioner Ryan Hunter opposed rezoning new twin homes near 100 South. Council Member Carroll disclosed family interest in property in the area; legal counsel said she could participate. The Planning Commission will refine the map.

   • CC-1 recently amended to allow higher-density housing; residential projects must provide their own parking
   • Council Member Carroll disclosed family property interest