The City Council took public testimony Monday night on a laundry list of proposed changes to the city's zoning, Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations.
But, the one issue which drew the most comment was a rezoning request for the block bounded by 10th and 11th Streets and M and N Avenues, just south of the library. Hal & Susan Rooks proposed a change in zoning from R4 to R3 in order to bring the block into the Old Town Overlay.
The so-called Old Town Overlay, adopted over a year ago, added new controls, including, among other things, a height limit of 25 feet unless strict guidelines are met. New construction could be allowed up to 35 feet if the requirements are met. The city-wide height limit is currently 35 feet.
Susan Rooks pointed out that 7 of the 11 homes on the block, known as Block 78, have been listed on the state's Historic Inventory Database. "What is key is that these buildings exist as a group; they have been a neighborhood for close to 100 years," she said.
She said "We would argue that maintaining R4 zoning in Block 78 runs contrary to these stated goals and creates incentives that would ultimately destroy the historic community character of this area and its stock of affordable housing."
Susan's husband, Hal Rooks, said virtually all the homeowners on the block support the rezoning. "There are 9 property owners on the block. Ninety percent of the owners—8 of the 9—have signed letters in support of the re-zoning."
Arlene French, who also lives in Old Town also urged Council approval, saying, "I'd like to see Old Town defined geographically and historically" instead of by zoning.
The proposed changes for Old Town are among a list of some two dozen proposed changes that the Council is expected to discuss at its Nov. 16 meeting.
The City Council Monday night also approved the Parks & Recreation and Forest Lands comprehensive plans.