Council hears introduction of zoning denial for Green Terrace/Walker Road parcel after neighborhood opposition

The council took up an introduction of Ordinance 70, a zoning case (25-41c) involving property at Green Terrace and Walker Road where the applicant sought to change the zoning from R1 12 (single-family) to R R 17 (denser residential). The planning commission recommended denial and staff presented the ordinance written to deny the rezoning request.

Staff said the property originally entered the city's jurisdiction decades ago under a different coding (R1-D) and that the Unified Development Code transition produced an R1 12 designation. Neighbors and the MPC opposed the rezoning because they said it would increase density beyond neighborhood expectations; MPC voted unanimously to deny the request.

Staff told the council the applicant is preparing a three‑lot subdivision that would allow three houses under existing zoning and said if that subdivision is filed the rezoning request would no longer be necessary. Staff said they had asked the applicant to submit a written withdrawal if the subdivision was filed but had not yet received it.

The matter was introduced and left for future consideration; no final vote occurred at this meeting. Staff said they would contact the applicant and expect to report back to council before the next scheduled hearing. Neighbors had asked for the council to be updated about subdivision timing and prior approval records; staff said the subdivision process would go to the MPC as a by‑right consent-item and could be appealed to council if necessary.