By ARIADNE WILL
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Planning Commission unanimously approved a zoning text amendment for the Gary Paxton Special Zone Wednesday.
The zoning text amendment was suggested by the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board of Directors and comes after the recognition that many parcels in the GP zone are now privately owned.
The text change includes an updated use table which contains additional permitted uses. The change will also filter conditional use permit applications through the Planning Commission, not the GPIP Board.
City Planning Director Amy Ainslie said the amendment is a good first step toward moving the area into conformance with other zoning districts. She added that the GP Special Zone will continue to have more permitted uses than industrial zone districts.
“When properties are ... developed or transferred in the future, there (will be) more certainty around the types of uses that are going to be allowed in the park,” Ainslie said.
GPIP Director Garry White spoke in favor of the change, saying that the industrial park board is interested in dissolving after the completion of the boat haulout on GPIP premises.
He told the commission that this zoning text amendment is a step in that direction.
“At some point the board does have a plan to dissolve, but it’s contingent on the park being fully developed into an industrial park,” he said.
In a staff report, Ainslie also announced that Wendy Alderson has applied for the Planning Commission seat vacated by Victor Weaver in July.
