Cheers, tears and applause filled City Council chambers after council members voted unanimously to deny a zoning request that would have allowed high-density residential construction at 2103 Kent St., in an area currently zoned for large-lot single family homes. More than 30 community members showed up to oppose the proposed zoning change at Thursday’s council meeting.
The developer had previously submitted a plan for 50 three-story townhomes on the 3.7-acre site, but after strong push-back at a community meeting and little support for the project from the Planning and Zoning Commission, they changed their plan to 13 two-story houses. The current zoning on the parcel would allow for only three houses or, alternatively, a mobile home park.
“During this meeting we listened to our neighbors and the city and went back to the drawing board and began to think of other options for this neighborhood that would be a better fit within the neighborhood,” said River Smythe, a co-owner of the property. “We come before you, City Council, with a plan that we feel extends an olive branch.”
The change in planned use was not met with the community acceptance developers hoped. Neighbors pointed out that plans at this phase are non-binding, and once the zoning is changed there is nothing stopping the developer from going back to their original 50-townhome project.
More on this story can be seen in the Taylor Press.
