Public hearing scheduled for High Street overlay district
Officials say measure would encourage reinvestment
Council is considering zoning for the transition area of High Street. There will be a public hearing July 18. Photo by EMILY CANNING-DEAN
WADSWORTH – In an effort to encourage reinvestment on some properties on High Street, the city is considering a transitional business overlay district for the area.
Council has set a public hearing on the matter for July 18 at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers.
The area in question includes properties on High Street south of Brouse and West streets and north of Hall Street.
Instead of changing the zoning in this area where there are a handful of single family houses, the overlay district would allow for existing structures to house small, low impact businesses such as a law firm, engineering firm, doctor’s office or art studio, Service Director Robert Patrick said. Strict limits on the number of employees and hours of operation would be in place.
“This would be for current structures,” Patrick said. “If someone wants to build a new structure, it doesn’t relate to that.”
“So someone couldn’t raze the church in that area and build a new business on that property,” Councilor Patricia Haskins asked. “I misunderstood. I thought someone could come in and raze the building and put in a doctor’s office.”
Mayor Robin Laubaugh said the purpose is to encourage reinvestment in these residential properties which sit on a main thoroughfare just south of a commercial district.
“The homes affected are single family homes. Under this provision, someone couldn’t come in and put a big addition on the home and sandwich in a business,” she said. “But a small business in an existing home would be allowable. This has been seen in other districts mixed in with residential where there is a large thoroughfare. The purpose is to encourage reinvestments in these homes where maybe someone isn’t interested in living. It is very minimal impact. We have concerns and don’t want that corridor to see signs of lack of reinvestment.”
“I think it is a good idea,” said Council President Bob Thurber. “I see areas like this in other communities that are largely no longer residential with few houses left. No one wants to live in them and they get into disrepair.”
Councilors Bob Titus and Ralph Copley said that while they have no issue with the overlay district, they want council to review plans for businesses in the homes for these area instead of planning commission.
“We want to protect the residents,” Copley said. “They are the ones who are concerned about this.”
“We are the elected officials,” Titus said. “I think the district is a great compromise, but this is in my ward.”
Laubaugh, who sits on planning commission, added that she is also an elected official and realizes there is a responsibility to make sure whatever is done is appropriate for the community and its residents.
Council has set a public hearing on the matter for July 18 at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers.
The area in question includes properties on High Street south of Brouse and West streets and north of Hall Street.
Instead of changing the zoning in this area where there are a handful of single family houses, the overlay district would allow for existing structures to house small, low impact businesses such as a law firm, engineering firm, doctor’s office or art studio, Service Director Robert Patrick said. Strict limits on the number of employees and hours of operation would be in place.
“This would be for current structures,” Patrick said. “If someone wants to build a new structure, it doesn’t relate to that.”
“So someone couldn’t raze the church in that area and build a new business on that property,” Councilor Patricia Haskins asked. “I misunderstood. I thought someone could come in and raze the building and put in a doctor’s office.”
Mayor Robin Laubaugh said the purpose is to encourage reinvestment in these residential properties which sit on a main thoroughfare just south of a commercial district.
“The homes affected are single family homes. Under this provision, someone couldn’t come in and put a big addition on the home and sandwich in a business,” she said. “But a small business in an existing home would be allowable. This has been seen in other districts mixed in with residential where there is a large thoroughfare. The purpose is to encourage reinvestments in these homes where maybe someone isn’t interested in living. It is very minimal impact. We have concerns and don’t want that corridor to see signs of lack of reinvestment.”
“I think it is a good idea,” said Council President Bob Thurber. “I see areas like this in other communities that are largely no longer residential with few houses left. No one wants to live in them and they get into disrepair.”
Councilors Bob Titus and Ralph Copley said that while they have no issue with the overlay district, they want council to review plans for businesses in the homes for these area instead of planning commission.
“We want to protect the residents,” Copley said. “They are the ones who are concerned about this.”
“We are the elected officials,” Titus said. “I think the district is a great compromise, but this is in my ward.”
Laubaugh, who sits on planning commission, added that she is also an elected official and realizes there is a responsibility to make sure whatever is done is appropriate for the community and its residents.