Title
(Quasi-Judicial) Petition 059WSU-00 CC, Gary Dounson & Associates, Inc., agent for Gene Bush. A Wellfield Protection Special Use Permit with associated development plan review for construction of a limited automotive center and "Other Uses" (transmission repair). Zoned: MU-2 (mixed-use medium intensity district). Located at 2525 North Main Street. Related to Petition 131SPC-89CD and 197SPL-89PB. (B)
Explanation
The petitioner is requesting a Special Use Permit for the construction of a Main Street Auto Mall, which will consist of Limited Automotive Services, and Other Uses. In late 1989, the petitioner brought before the Plan Board a similar request that was allowed by right at that time and was approved by the Board. A portion of three "Paper" streets were vacated during 1989 as part of the site plan review process. However, that project was never developed. Since then, there has been a citywide rezoning (1992) that affected all properties within the City. A majority of the petitioner's property was rezoned from BA (business automotive), to its present MU-2 (mixed-use medium intensity district) zoning classification. The MU-2 zoning does not allow most automotive uses by right. The petitioner is now required to obtain a Special Use Permit from the Plan Board to allow the automotive uses indicated.
In addition, within the past several months, a new overlay district, "Murphree Wellfield Protection Zones", has been established that also requires a Wellfield Protection Special Use Permit from both the Plan Board and the City Commission if certain conditions occur. It has been determined that certain hazardous materials will either be manufactured, stored, used, or sold at the "Auto Mall" facility. There has been increasing concern, over the years, about protecting the community's wellfield (Murphree Water Plant) and water supply from developments/uses, which may pose a hazard. The new permit will allow for a more intensive review of non-residential projects in the wellfield zones and will allow the City to revoke permits for noncompliance.
The petitioner has operated a transmission and engine repair service at the address given above, on North Main Street, for several decades, and is presently operating as a legal non-conforming use. It is now their desire to raze a portion of the existing transmission repair facility, leaving only the office area, and create a new, much larger (29,860 sq. ft.) "Auto Mall" facility with numerous automotive associated businesses. Businesses such as tire and brake service, lube oil change, car window tinting, car detailing, car stereo installation, and possibly "other uses" such as automotive paint shops, are being proposed on the remainder of the property the petitioner owns to the east of the present facility.
All conditions of the Special Use Permit and Wellfield Special Use Permit are covered by the Technical Review Committee Development Review comment sheets. Gainesville Regional Utilities and the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department reviewed the petition, and the Plan Board recommends approval.
The property is located in Zone A of the City's newly created Transportation Concurrency Exception Area (TCEA). The petitioner will be required to provide a safe and convenient internal pedestrian circulation system that connects to existing or planned public sidewalk along development frontage. Cross-access driveway connections to properties to the north and south will be provided and the existing entrance curb cut located on North Main Street will be modified so that the preferred 90-degree alignment can be achieved.
Public notice was published in the Gainesville Sun on May 30, 2000. Letters were mailed to surrounding property owners on May 31, 2000. The Plan Board held a public hearing June 15, 2000.
Fiscal Note
None
Recommendation
City Plan Board to City Commission - The City Commission approve Petition 59WSU-00 CC, with development plan conditions. Plan Board vote 4-0.
Staff to Plan Board - Approve, with development plan conditions.