Zoning 101 – Lesson #3

As we discuss the proposed development at E7th/Temple and how the proposed development of a 24-hour convenience store is not an investment in our neighborhood….we need to review what the city has determined this land can become.

This parcel of land is zoned ‘CNR’. That mean Commercial Neighborhood Residential . There are various Commercial-type of zones. READ every word!

Neighborhood Commercial Zoning Districts. The Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District includes neighborhood-serving centers and corridors that provide small scale, low-intensity uses to meet the daily retail and service needs of surrounding residents. Uses and the scale of development shall be compatible with surrounding residential neighborhoods and shall be designed to promote pedestrian and bicycle access. Scale is determined by the size of adjoining residential uses, the commercial lot size and the commercial street width. Special scale restrictions apply in these districts. There are three (3) types of Neighborhood Commercial Districts:

1. The Neighborhood Pedestrian (CNP) District is oriented towards serving pedestrians and encouraging pedestrian activity by locating buildings along the primary street frontage and parking behind the buildings.

2. The Neighborhood Automobile-Oriented (CNA) District is auto-oriented with buildings set back from the front property line and parking located between the building and the street.

3. The Neighborhood Commercial and Residential (CNR) District is a mixed-use district permitting small scale commercial uses and/or moderate density residential development at R-3-T densities.

There is a table of business types that can/can not be considered. This week we are presenting during Public Comments at the city’s Sustainability Commission. We are asking for a moratorium on 24-hour convenience stores until environmental safety and energy consumption standards can be included in the planning review process.