Commercial Zone Survey

The city is currently revising our zoning and development ordinances for the commercial zone. We recently conducted a survey to collect feedback from our residents regarding what uses they think should be allowed in the commercial zone. Thank you for your input! This article summarizes the results of the survey so you can see what your fellow residents think. We'll be taking this input into consideration as we revise our code.

Introduction

We would like to know your opinion regarding future uses of the city’s commercial zone. Please note that this does not affect any existing applications, including the proposed congregate care facility. In addition, this is not a vote, but simply an advisory survey to help shape the future zoning in our city.

Question 1

Which area of the city do you live in? Use the map below if you are unsure of your precinct.

Neighborhood Retail

For the following questions, consider the portion of the commercial zone that is shown in the map below, outlined in red. This area of the commercial zone currently allows a variety of retail uses as well as residential on the second floor.

Question 2

Which of the following uses should be allowed in this area of the commercial zone? When answering, please assume that the city will have in place restrictions that limit impacts on surrounding neighborhoods, including landscaping, sound walls, setbacks, and restrictions on parking, hours of operation, and truck deliveries.

Question 3

The commercial district could include a variety of uses, and our city needs to decide whether to allow big box stores (e.g. Home Depot, Wal-Mart) or restrict the zone to include only smaller shops and stores. Which of the following do you agree with?

1) The commercial zone should be open to all types of retail including big box stores (e.g. Home Depot, Wal-Mart), to provide the best chance that the commercial zone will be developed soon and to ensure we don’t turn away any developers interested in using the property.

2) The commercial zone should include only smaller stores and shops to preserve our small-town environment and should not include big box stores (e.g. Home Depot, Wal-Mart), car dealerships, or large commercial developments.

Question 4

Should this area of the commercial zone allow residential living on the second story of shops and stores (also called mixed use development)?

Question 5

If residential uses are allowed, should residential living be restricted to only assisted living and 55+ older housing?

Question 6

How many total residential, mixed-use units would be acceptable for this area of the commercial zone?

Mixed Use Office/Retail

For the following questions, consider the portion of the commercial zone that is shown in the map below, outlined in blue. This area of the commercial zone currently allows office and light retail uses (e.g. florist, beauty salon) as well as residential on the second story.

Question 7

Should residential living in this zone be restricted to only assisted living and 55+ older housing?

Question 8

How many total residential units would be acceptable for this area of the commercial zone?