Rezoning Property

There is a current proposal to rezone the propert at 525 N. Walnut.

From Jon Ward-
The current proposal will directly affect our property. This item is set for action on the Cookeville Planning Commission agenda for May 18, 2009. The proposal is to rezone Kappa Sigma's property to UNV, University District, along with all other properties encompassed by the red border depicted on the attached map. The current zoning for our property is CL, Local Commercial. This district is more liberal with permitted uses, including many uses permitted in the Central Business District. The UNV district will restrict some uses by right and uses on appeal (special exceptions). These uses are defined on the City of Cookeville's web site under the planning department link. You can view the text sections defining these districts at the links attached below [PDFs] & links open in new window:

Current zoning: CL, Local Commercial

Including some uses in CDB, Central Business District


Proposed zoning: UNV, University

City of Cookeville Zoning Code

The zoning classifications are controlled by the City of Cookeville, and Tennessee Tech would not have any jurisdiction on our property. The city would not care what activities take place there, so long as the police aren't involved. The UNV zoning district is designed to better accommodate university related uses.

I would not see where this would have any negative affects on our property as long as our current use continues. In the event of another catastrophe, there would be no time limits set to reconstruct a non-conforming use, as we currently have under the CL zoning classification. We would be losing some of the potential uses by right and special exceptions that we currently have under the CL zoning district.

Hope this answers some questions. Reading the zoning classifications will give everyone a better idea of how this affects the property.

From EJ-
Unless someone tells me different by COB Tuesday, May 12, I plan to submit that our organization is in favor of the rezoning of 525 North Walnut from CL (Commercial Local) to UNV (University).

The only concern that has been brought to my attention was "If our property is zoned UNV, does that give TTU any additional say or input as to what we can do with or at the house?". From the input I have received, the short answer is no. This zoning is at the city level. It only relates to how the property can be developed.

So, that being said. Any more concerns from anyone? Anything else we need to hash out? Any reason for either way?

Silence is acceptance. If I do not hear any nays, I am going to make a blog post announcing the previously mentioned position; explanation of 'terms; and contact information for questions (this will be me unless Ward says he will do it)

Regards,
Eric