Before the LPA meeting on February 8, Mayor David Lyons announced that Pacific Tomato Growers canceled their application for a proposed facility. The proposed development on 615 West Cowboy Way would have housed 466 migrant workers. A group of people left before Lyons called the LPA meeting to order.

Zoning of properties and the impact they would have on the residential area located on East Yeoman’s Avenue, North Riverview Street, and North Oak Street were discussed at the Local Planning Agency Meeting.

Public Hearings were held on proposed Ordinances 2018-01 Yeoman’s Avenue Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment and 2018-02 Yeoman’s Avenue Planned Unit Development Rezone. The ordinances concern properties located at 257, 277, 295, and 351 East Yeoman’s Avenue, 51 North Riverview Street, and 50 North Oak Street. The changes were initiated by the city due to a conflict between the future land use map and the zoning map that needs to be corrected.

Proposed Ordinance 2018-01 changes the future land use map designation from residential to outlying mixed use allowing both commercial and residential properties in order make the lots consistent with the others in the area. Proposed Ordinance 2018-02 changes the zoning designation from B2 general commercial to B1 office professional.

A B2 designation allows for intense commercial uses.

“Things like gas stations that we don’t see being appropriate directly across the street from residences in a residential neighborhood,” said City Planner Shellie Johnson

A B1 designation allows for offices and neighborhood services.

“Things like shoe repair or dry cleaners,” said Johnson, “It serves as a transition between more intense uses along the state road 80 frontage and the residential properties on the north side.”

The total amount of property affected is less than 20 acres and does not have to go to the state for review.

Greg Sutton, who lives on East Yeoman’s Avenue, questioned the reason for the proposed ordinances. He stated concerns over traffic in the area because a lot of people use Yeoman’s to cut across to state road 80.

“The road is already bad enough as it is,” said Sutton.

City Attorney Derek Rooney explained the impact the change would have on traffic in the area.

“By changing the map the city is making traffic less intense on Yeoman’s,” said Rooney.

“The changes allow for transitions between heavier commercial uses on State Road 80 and the residential neighborhood,” said Johnson.

The commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the proposed change to Ordinances 2018-01 and 2018-02.