Title
Rezoning Application No. 15-00006 by Franciscus Home, Inc. to rezone 7.6+ acres at 960, 1014, 1020, and 1018 Big Bethel Road [LRSN: 4001445, 4001446, 4001447, 4001448] from Limited Commercial [C-2] District with conditions and One Family Residence [R-11] District to Multiple Dwelling (MD-2) District with proffered conditions
Purpose
This is a request to rezone 7.6+ acres along Big Bethel Road Limited Commercial [C-2] District with conditions and One Family Residence [R-11] District to Multiple Dwelling (MD-2) District. Proffers limit the total maximum allowed number of units to 75. The limit is proffered by setting a maximum on both the number of buildings that can be constructed (maximum of 15 buildings), and the total number of units that may be in each unit (maximum of five units).
The Hampton Community Plan (2006, as amended) recommends low density residential for this property, with the exception of the southern parcel, which is identified for mixed-use. Low density residential is defined as between 3.5 and 9 units per acre. Based on proffered conditions, the applicant would be limited to just under 10 units per acre.
The City’s adopted policies support a diverse mix of housing types and values and higher quality development throughout the city. Additionally, the Plan calls for residential streets to be treated as public right-of-ways and with neighborhood amenities such as sidewalks and street trees. Streetscape and common open space amenities have been proffered by the applicant, as well as a sidewalk connection to the existing sidewalk along Big Bethel Road. Additional proffers include conceptual site plan, building elevations and materials, lighting, fencing, and traffic improvements.
Big Bethel Road is identified in the Community Plan as a residential corridor with commercial nodes, as well as an arterial street and “critical transportation corridor.” The project site is located on the edge of one such commercial node near the intersection of Big Bethel Road and Todds Lane. Given the existing commercial zoning and the Community Plan’s land use recommendation for mixed-use on a portion of the subject property, staff believes that multi-family would better serve the commercial node than an extension of low density single family housing or further extension of said commercial node with additional commercial development. Additionally, the Plan recommends safeguarding the integrity of existing neighborhoods (LU-CD #17). Staff believes this proposal provides a more appropriate buffer and transition between an existing low density single family neighborhood and Big Bethel Road. While the proposal does not fully align with the future Land Use Plan, the application is consistent with City policies regarding land use and special considerations around the Big Bethel Road corridor.
Staff and Planning and Commission recommend approval of Rezoning Application No. 15-00006 with 15 proffered conditions.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve Rezoning Application No. 15-00006 with fifteen (15) proffered conditions.