ANA to Oppose Zoning Request on Montview Street

submitted by Tom Linehan

At the July 27th Allandale Executive Committee meeting the Board voted to oppose the rezoning request regarding 5513 Montview. This is a deep lot behind commercial property on Burnet Rd. The estate of the owner is requesting that the section of the lot close to Burnet Rd be changed from SF-2 to CS (commercial) zoning leaving the remaining section of the lot on Montview as SF-2. You can track progress on the case at the City's web site here. At Wednesday's meeting, Anne Young, a resident of the area, brought the Board current on the status of the request and summarized the concerns of her and her neighbors. In the picture taken from Montview facing the lot, you can see the back of the commercial building that fronts Burnet Rd. However, you cannot see the homes that are either side of the lot.   

In following up with Anne after the meeting regarding the case she provided with me the following points prepared by the City staff on why they will not be recommending the request:

Excerpt from staff report:

1.) The proposed commercial zoning classification of CS-CO is incompatible with the existing established residential neighborhood along Montview Street.

2.) Although subject to compatibility standards, the proposed rezoning will infringe on the established separation of uses by introducing intensive commercial uses into the residential neighborhood along Montview Street.

3.) Although the applicant proposes a residence on the remaining portion of the subject lot to buffer the use to other residential uses, the proximity of CS related uses is incompatible with residential development.

4.) More intensive zoning should be located at the established commercial sites along Burnet   Road where commercial uses do not infringe onto residential uses.

5.) A change in conditions to warrant a change of zoning for this portion of Montview Street has not been demonstrated.

6.) The Staff recommendation allows for the protection of the residential character of the established neighborhood.

At the conclusion of Anne's presentation, the ANA Board voted to send a letter to the City opposing the zoning request.