Council introduces rezoning ordinance
Change of properties is better match for mixed purpose uses
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City Council Monday introduced an ordinance that calls for rezoning 10 properties on the north side of Kettle Street between Grant and Baltzell avenues from residential to mixed residential-commercial.
The proposed change will bring zoning for those properties more in line with their actual uses, given that four already operate by variances that match the proposed new label, and given that other properties beyond Grant also operate that way, according to statements in the proposed ordinance.
The proposed change will also make Kettle's north side more closely match properties across the street that are zoned neighborhood business and highway business, according to the proposed ordinance.
The change is a compromise to make the zoning on Kettle more consistent with the reality of that mixed-use neighborhood, said Councilman Dave Ellis. The proposed new configuration reflects its "identity," he said.
It also helps to simplify the zoning in a neighborhood that has five different designations within six blocks.
Still, it's only a "partial resolution," because the city's soon-to-be-started new comprehensive plan will likely include an overall evaluation of zoning that could result in further readjustments on Kettle, Ellis said.
The rezoning effort requires notification of affected property owners, postings in the area, a review and recommendation by the city Planning Commission, an advisory review by the Blair County Planning Commission and a public hearing before council adopts the ordinance, solicitor Tom Finn has said.
A request by the owner of a business on the north side of Kettle for his property to be rezoned months ago triggered the move to make the wider zoning change.
Randy Beers of Beers Plumbing, Heating & Cooling had already obtained a variance to operate his business but wanted to be able to operate there "by right."
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.