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PrintCOLUMBIA — The rezoning of a former church for a funeral home in the Second Ward, and of an empty double lot in the First Ward for the Cozy Cottages plan are the subject of public hearings before the City Council on Monday.
The Carr-Yager Funeral Home company wants to rezone the abandoned Church of God at East Texas and Garth avenues. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the change from residential to commercial zoning on Sept. 18.
Peter Anger, Parkade Neighborhood Association spokesman, doesn't want commercial zoning next to residential in the neighborhood. Anger suggested changing the city's office zoning rules to allow mortuaries without crematories.
The Cozy Cottages plan is the idea of developer Amir Ziv, who is requesting a change of zoning to accommodate three "cottage style" houses on a double lot along Ridgeway Avenue. The commission recommended denial of the request, largely because of the placement of the garages in front of the houses and because of density concerns.
Many neighborhood residents spoke on both sides of the issue during the public hearing, and the commission tentatively agreed that if the garages were moved, the plan might be approved. However, Ziv contends there is no other place for the garages and remains hopeful the City Council will approve the plan.
The council will also hold two public hearings about the proposed County House Branch Trail, which would create a pedestrian and bicycle route from the Twin Lakes Area to Stadium Boulevard. One public hearing is on an ordinance authorizing construction of the trail, the other concerns an ordinance authorizing the city to acquire the necessary easements.
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