For about the last month, the City Council has been discussing and looking over the Department of Development’s plan to change the zoning code in the area by Jackson-Taylor Park, and that change is officially set for a vote at tonight’s council voting session.

The plan was originally brought before the council in July, and looks to change the area from the back lot boundaries of Lafayette to Isabella Street, the northern side of Isabella Street to the back lot boundaries of Clinton Street and the northern side of Eighth Street until it reaches the C-2 Community Commercial Boundary by the park from an R-2 residential district to a C-1 neighborhood commercial.

The issue has been discussed at the last few council meetings, along with the most recent Planning Commission meeting, and some of the borders of where this change will take place have been moved following feedback from people who live in the heavier residential streets of that area. The idea behind the change is that it will allow for the vacant warehouses and buildings that sit in that area to be utilized for other business purposes, along with bringing in newer, smaller, closed businesses like a coffee shop. It has been noted multiple times at meetings that C-1 only allows for certain types of smaller businesses, and not larger manufacturing that would also have a negative impact on the area, especially as it sits close to the Chadakoin River, such as gas stations or car repair shops.

Another reason for the change is that the Department of Development has reported that building new housing in that area is not feasible due to contaminates in the soil and other factors, making bringing in new, smaller businesses a better option for them.

A second zoning issue is also set to be voted on by the council, regarding the creation of an ordinance to allow the DOD to make Pilot Residential Districts for infill housing projects, which will allow for new builds in parcels that are currently vacant or have condemned houses slated for demolition. The ordinance allows for flexible zoning standards for infill housing development on eligible publicly owned parcels, while still requiring site plan review and ensuring compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods. The plan is for these districts to target specific neighborhoods that have been identified as needing help, such as Fulton Street and Cross Street.

The city council voting session begins at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Council Chambers on the second floor of city hall.