Commission recommends rezoning at Main and Wakefield to a limited B-2 overlay

The commission voted 5–0 to forward a recommendation to City Council to rezone a property at the intersection of Main Street and Wakefield from B-3 to a limited B-2 business overlay. Staff said the site sits adjacent to B-2 zoning to the north and to other commercial uses, and the Hilliard Community Plan shows residential in the parcel’s planning designation. The applicant requested that 18 specific B-2 uses be permitted in a limited overlay. Staff recommended forwarding the limited B-2 overlay to council, noting the proposal supports the community plan’s goal of establishing a mixed land-use pattern that includes revenue-producing businesses. Commissioners raised two specific use questions: banks with drive-through facilities and daycare operations. Staff noted drive-through banks would have to meet site constraints and that an applicant-proposed daycare would need to demonstrate adequate outdoor play area under state and local requirements. Applicant representatives — Mortez and Wissam of MMW Properties — confirmed they anticipate daycare as a permitted use and said outdoor play yards would need to meet the applicable code and state guidelines. The commission’s favorable recommendation now moves the limited B-2 overlay request to city council for final action.