title
REZONINGS - VICINITY OF N.E. 23RD AVENUE AND N.E. 39TH AVENUE, AND WALDO ROAD (S.R. 24) (B)
Ordinance No. 110613, Petition No. PB-11-141ZON
An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending the Zoning Map Atlas and rezoning certain properties from the zoning category of "I-1: Limited industrial district" to "BI: Business industrial district"; consisting of approximately 61.37 acres, and generally bounded on the North by N.E. 39th Avenue, bounded on the East by Waldo Road (S.R. 24), bounded on the South by N.E. 23rd Avenue, and bounded on the West by N.E. 21st Way and N.E. 15th Terrace; providing directions to the City Manager; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.
recommendation
The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.
explanation
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF REPORT
This is a request to change the zoning of several parcels of land along NE 23rd Avenue and Waldo Road from I-1(Limited Industrial District) to BI (Business Industrial District). This request was initiated by staff to encourage redevelopment of underutilized parcels and to further implement Plan East Gainesville. Additionally, with the development of the University of Florida eastside campus and some inquiries regarding the potential to redevelop some parcels along the corridors, staff felt that a change in zoning was needed to support and encourage economic development in the area. This petition will change the zoning on appropriately 61.37 acres.
The current uses in the areas consist of what would be considered light industrial service oriented uses, restaurants (Satchels and Sonny's), automotive and construction type uses as well as vacant properties. The intent of the change in zoning is to put the area in a position to take advantage of the redevelopment associated with University of Florida eastside campus and the development of the fairground business center. This area could be in a position to provide all the ancillary services that could support the potential growth in employees in the area.
The BI zoning will allow property owners affected by the change to keep all the uses allowed by right in the I-1 zoning while adding more business and retail services. Some uses allowed by Special Use Permit in the I-1 district would not be allowed, those include: alcoholic beverage establishments; recycling centers; wholesale trade of petroleum products; and individual and family social services. The BI zoning would not make any existing conforming businesses non-conforming, but it would make some existing businesses conforming (convenience stores). The main difference between the BI and I-1 districts is the BI allows more retail type services, for example a General or Family Dollar store would be allow in BI but not in I-1.
The Plan Board reviewed the petition on December 5, 2011 and recommended approval of the petition. Plan Board vote 4-0.