During a recent city council meeting, officials moved forward with the first reading of a zoning ordinance map amendment that proposes to rezone a parcel at 212 Osmond Street from R1 (single-family dwelling) to M1 (light manufacturing). The amendment aims to facilitate the expansion of the existing Paddock Vehicle Storage facility, which is located adjacent to the proposed site.

The council, led by Mayor and planning manager Mark Andrick, discussed the implications of the rezoning, emphasizing that the change would allow for the construction of a new 10,000 square foot building dedicated solely to indoor vehicle storage. This expansion is seen as a response to the historical industrial use of the land, which has not been developed for residential purposes for over a century.

The planning commission previously held a public hearing on September 4, where they recommended approval of the rezoning with a 4-0 vote, despite some opposition from residents. The applicant, Charles Corcoran of Paddock Vehicle Storage, highlighted that the property has been historically unsuitable for residential development due to contamination concerns, which were substantiated by environmental assessments.

Corcoran also addressed traffic concerns, noting that the facility averages only one visitor per day, with most vehicles arriving under their own power. He emphasized the low impact of the operation, which primarily sees activity during the warmer months.

The council plans to hold a second reading of the resolution on October 8, where further discussions and potential approvals will take place. The proposed rezoning is positioned as a strategic move to align with the city’s future land use goals, which favor entrepreneurial and commercial activities over residential development in this area.