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A rezoning and conditional use permit request for multi-family housing in the 2500 block of Sycamore Avenue was unanimously rejected this past Thursday by Buena Vista City Council.
Ryan Goodsell was seeking the rezoning, from R3 (residential limited) to R4 (medium density residential), and CUP so he could convert an existing 5,000-square-foot residential structure into four apartment units at 2517/2519 Sycamore Ave., and build two new duplexes at the corner of Sycamore Avenue and 25th Street. The plans also called for razing an existing structure at 2507 Sycamore Ave.
Residents and former residents of the historically African American neighborhood of single-
, page 4 family homes raised objections at an earlier public hearing, asserting that the proposed development was too dense and would lead to commercial development encroaching on the neighborhood. R4 zoning, which would be needed for a four-unit residential structure, is primarily residential but does allow commercial professional offices by right and retail establishments with a CUP.
Goodsell maintained that Buena Vista “has a desperate need for housing,” pointing out at the earlier public hearing that the average age of houses in the city is 50 years old, with many in need of major renovations. His objective, he said then, was to provide the city with safe, affordable housing options.
Council member Melvin Henson, at last week’s meeting, acknowledged that the city has a need for housing. It’s needed for growth and to keep tax rates down, he said, but questioned the location for this particular proposal. “Is the site big enough for this project?” he asked.
Steve Webb thanked everyone for their “comments and concerns” regarding this proposal. “I don’t think it’s at the best site. It would increase the density and nature of the R4 district. I make a motion to deny.”
Webb’s motion, seconded by Stanley Coffey, passed 7-0.
