HomeMy WebLinkAboutZMA198100014 Staff Report 1981-04-07STAFF REPORT
ZMA-81-14 William Marshall, Jr.
April 7, 1981
Requested Zoning: HC Highway Commercial
Acreage: 2.25 acres
Existing Zoning: R-1 Residential
Location: Property, described as Tax Map 32, Parcel 40, is located on the north
side of Route 649 (Airport Road), approximately 600 feet west of its intersection
with Route 29 North.
Character of the Area
A dilapidated dwelling is currently being razed on this property. Several
commercial uses are in the vicinity to the east. Two dwellings exist on the
property directly to the east, which is zoned C-1 Commercial. Single family
dwellings are to the west and south. Property to the north is undeveloped.
Public water is available; therefore, two commercial uses could be located on the
property. Grading of the site may be necessary to obtain commercial sight distance.
Comprehensive Plan
This property, located in the Hollymead community, is in an area recommended for
low density residential and commercial usage in the Comprehensive Plan. The Plan
states that "additional commercial areas are planned for the intersection of
Route 649 with Route 29. These areas may be developed as highway -oriented
commercial to serve the residents of the Hollymead community as well as travelers
on Route 29."
Staff Comment
The applicant's stated purpose for requesting Highway Commercial zoning is to
relocate the existing public garage from the northwest quadrant of Route 29 North/
649 to this property.* While C-1 Commercial would be more consistent with zoning
in the area, a public garage is not currently a permitted use in the C-1 district.
Staff recommends approval for the following reasons:
1) The property had been zoned B-1 under previous zoning and was recommended
for a commercial designation on early drafts of the new zoning map. While
the land use recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan are debatable
(i.e., low density or commercial), staff opinion is that it was the intent
of the Comprehensive Plan to recognize commercial zoning in that quadrant
as it existed at that time.
* The applicant entered into a contract of purchase on January 30, 1981. Though
the property had been designated R-1 Residential on December 10, 1980, the
realtor's sign advertising the property as commercial remains posted at this
time.
STAFF REPORT
ZMA-81-14
April 7, 1981
Page two
2) The Comprehensive Plan recommends 80 acres of new commercial development
by 1995. Currently, about 28 acres of vacant commercial exists in
Hollymead most of which is under one ownership.
3) While the HC district is intended to be applied along major highways,
this request appears to comply with the textual recommendations of the
Comprehensive Plan. Staff opinion is that the intent of frontage -to -
depth requirements of the HC district could be satisfied by a voluntary
limitation of access to Route 649.