Commission rejects motion to approve MC zoning at Lakewood/Clark site; staff recommended MN

The commission considered a request to permanently zone a 0.89‑acre parcel northwest of Clark Lane and North Lakewood Drive to Mixed Use Corridor (MC) upon annexation to the city. Staff recommended denial of MC and concluded MN (Mixed Use Neighborhood) would be a better fit for the parcel, which abuts a mix of county planned commercial and residential parcels. Staff explained the property sits next to a largely commercial intersection (including an existing BP fueling station and other auto‑oriented uses), but noted the county had previously approved review plans that envisioned a more limited, neighborhood‑oriented commercial outcome for the site. Staff said MC allows broader, auto‑oriented, higher‑intensity uses that may not be compatible with adjacent residences and that MN better preserves a commercial transition to the neighborhood; staff therefore recommended denial of MC but noted the commission could recommend MN if the applicant agreed. Applicant counsel Caleb Culbert emphasized the site’s high visibility at the roundabout and argued MC is appropriate given surrounding commercial uses and traffic volumes. Several nearby residents expressed concern about access onto North Lakewood Drive and asked whether a drive‑through or other intensive use could produce queuing and noise near the lake and adjacent homes. Staff said a drive‑through would require conditional use review and that any outdoor storage or intensive use would trigger required buffering and screening. The commission debated whether to accept staff’s more conservative MN recommendation or to permit MC; one motion to approve MC (subject to annexation) failed on a 3–5 vote. The failure to adopt MC will be forwarded to City Council in the record; staff will note MN as a preferred alternative for council consideration if the applicant consents.