Palmer changes highway zoning

PALMER -- During its regular meeting on Tuesday, the Palmer City Council voted to rezone several parcels of land along the Palmer-Wasilla Highway near Palmer High School from R-1, single-family residential, to C-G, general commercial. The prospect of commercial development in the area has raised concern among many residents.

The proposal to rezone the area was brought to the council at its May 25 regular meeting, but was postponed until June 8 to determine whether a list of 64 signatures of residents submitted by local resident Julie LeMay constituted a "property owner's protest." A protest requires that more than one-third of the residents within the 300 feet of the property to be rezoned state in writing that that they object to the proposal.

A memo to the council from Palmer City Manager Tom Healy stated that, since the owners of property within the vicinity of the rezoning who signed the petition do not own more than one-third of the area within the vicinity, the list of signatures does not qualify as this type of protest.

"Although it was signed by more than 60 people, most of them from Palmer, they didn't meet the requirement of owning property within 300 feet of the area to be rezoned," Healy said at the meeting.

Despite the fact the signatures didn't constitute a formal objection, council members said it would be wise to take the residents' input into consideration.

"These people aren't necessarily within 300 feet, but they're nonetheless neighbors," Council Member John Combs said.

Gary Cox, a resident in the area, came forward to push for moderation in zoning changes.

"I'm for development, and I think that big business is the best use for that land," Cox said, "but I think it's inappropriate to allow bars and nightclubs that close to a high school."

Cox said he would like to see the authorizations under C-G change to limit the types of businesses available under that classification.

Combs said the licensing requirements for bars and nightclubs would preclude one of these businesses being placed next to a high school.

Kevin Sorensen, another resident, said he disapproved of the practice of annexing properties under the umbrella of an R-1 classification.

"Properties coming on as R-1 puts residents in a very bad position," he said. "It really is unfair to the people who are annexed to the city."

Sorensen added that he thought the lots in question were an obvious spot for future development, especially with Palmer's plan to extend the nearby Felton Street to intersect with another future Dogwood Avenue extension.

LeMay came forth again to speak out against the rezoning at the June 8 meeting.

"I know it's a difficult balance," LeMay said. "But I hope that you try to consider everyone's position and try to come up with a solution that benefits everyone. If you do rezone, please make allowances for adjacent people."

A list of recommended restrictions from Healy addressed such allowances. Healy's memo suggested a number of items the property developers would have to agree to before the land is rezoned as commercial. The stipulations include the erection of a 6 1/2-foot solid or slatted fence prior to any development, a driveway access plan that allows access to the Palmer-Wasilla Highway through a minimum number of points, a setback of 25 feet from the property line and shielding for lights to prevent light from spilling onto adjacent properties.

If the owners don't agree to the conditions, Healy suggested, the parcels won't be rezoned.

Combs said he didn't think the owners would have any objection.

"This list of conditions doesn't look too onerous," he said.

Deputy Mayor Tony Pippel, sitting in for Mayor Jim Cooper, said he thought Healy's compromise was a good solution for everyone involved.

"It's not perfect for everybody, but it's got something for everybody," Pippel said.

The council voted unanimously in favor of a rezone with the suggested restrictions. The rezone will become official when and if the owners agree to the restrictions.

Contact Daniel Spoth at daniel.spoth@frontiersman.com.