In a recent city council meeting, members approved a consent agenda and proceeded to a public hearing regarding the rezoning of a property located at 161 Sequoia Drive. The property, currently zoned as Office and Institutional (OI), is seeking a change to Residential 3 (R3) to allow for single-family residential use.

The applicant, Tuohy Klang, presented the case, highlighting the need for the rezoning and a concurrent variance to reduce the side yard setback from the required 10 feet to just 1 foot. Klang's representative, Sebastian Garcia, explained that the property had previously been misclassified and that the owner was attempting to rectify unpermitted additions made to the home.

During the public hearing, several neighbors voiced their concerns. Dan Rupnow, a nearby resident, expressed opposition based on the unpermitted additions and the potential safety risks associated with the proposed 1-foot setback. He urged the council to ensure compliance with zoning regulations before granting any variances.

Another neighbor, Donald Barth, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining proper setbacks for safety and compliance reasons. He urged the council to deny the variance request until the property owner rectifies the existing violations.

Conversely, some neighbors, including Katie Leverett, expressed support for the rezoning, noting that the property had historically been residential and that the current unpermitted addition did not significantly impact their living conditions. However, they also raised concerns about the proposed 1-foot setback, suggesting that a compromise might be necessary.

After extensive discussion, the council decided to approve the rezoning to R3 but tabled the variance request for further review. This decision allows the property owner to continue living in the home while working on compliance with city regulations. The council emphasized the need for the owner to submit revised plans that adhere to the required setbacks before any further action could be taken.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the council to ensure that all future developments align with zoning laws and community safety standards.