Conditional Zoning: What Does It Mean
Rezoning for the Main Street Vista is done, but conditional zoning remains a sticking point
During the April 18th town council meeting, the board approved rezoning request for the Main Street Vista project by a vote of 3-2. The development will bring a mixed-use development at the corner of Holly Springs Road and Main Street. It will be sandwiched by the shopping center that has Mama Bird’s and Windward Pointe neighborhood.
Page 27 of the plans submitted by the developers give you a better idea of what the development will look like.
Prior to the town council meeting, the area that is just woods right now was Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMX). The developers requested to change it to Downtown Mix Conditional District (DMX CD).
Councilman Dan Berry pointed out several issues with the project: traffic, how to leave the post office (3rd Street to Main Street), and conditional zoning. He went on to explain that conditional zoning allows for developers to set the standard. Basically, he says, the project could go from 4 stories to 5 stories.
Councilman Shaun McGrath agreed and even asked where is the end of downtown and the village district. Both Berry and McGrath voted against moving forward with the project.
Per a town map for the Village District Boundary this project is included in the boundary.
While the rest of the council did discuss the traffic issues, Councilman Aaron Wolff acknowledged the traffic issue but also pointed out the need for density housing and says he was hoping to see this type of development come into the area.
But the lingering issue of conditional zoning remained. Even Councilman Tim Forrest who voted for the project mentioned the need to review conditional zoning.
Zoning is managed through the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The council has been developing one for the town and updating it as needed. In fact, an update related to zoning was approved in March.