(Note: This article covers companion items 8 and 9 presented together.)

Staff presented companion requests for 509 Austin Street: a comprehensive plan amendment to change the property's future land use designation from medium/high density residential to low density residential, and a zoning request to change the split‑zoned parcel (Central Area and Two‑Family Residential) to Single‑Family‑6 (SF‑6) to permit a single‑family home. Staff said the property is roughly 0.17 acres, currently vacant, and split zoned; the applicant seeks SF‑6 to build a single‑family residence.

Staff said the DRC is unable to recommend approval of the comprehensive plan amendment because the requested low‑density designation is inconsistent with the surrounding future land use map, which is predominantly medium or high density residential and includes adjacent auto‑oriented and contractor uses to the west. For the zoning request, staff described the property as illegally subdivided decades ago (meets‑and‑bounds) and said a replat would be required before any building permit could be issued. Staff recommended that, if the commission approves the zoning change, the applicant be required to complete a final plat before permits are issued.

Staff reported that 38 notices were mailed to surrounding properties and that staff received one written opposition from a contractor's office immediately to the west, which argued the area contains commercial uses and should not be rezoned to two‑family residential (staff provided the opposition letter before the hearing). Staff indicated they will provide that letter in the public hearing materials. Commissioners questioned the history of the property's subdivision and whether the city could pursue rezoning or platting changes if the application were denied; staff said the current underlying zoning allows existing uses and that platting questions must be addressed by the property owner when pursuing building permits.

The DRC recommended denial of the comprehensive plan amendment and presented a conditional path for the zoning request that would require platting before any building permits are issued. The items will proceed to public hearing at the regular meeting for the commission's decision.