Title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF DULUTH TO RECLASSIFY PROPERTY AT THE FORMER DWP SITE IN THE FAIRMOUNT NEIGHBORHOOD FROM RESIDENTIAL-TRADITIONAL (R-1) AND RESIDENTIAL-URBAN (R-2) TO RESIDENTIAL-PLANNED (R-P).
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
The city of Duluth does ordain:
Section 1. That the subject property known as the former DWP site, as shown in Attachment 1, and as more particularly described with the parcel numbers shown in Attachment 2, be rezoned from Residential-Traditional (R-1) and Residential-Urban (R-2) to Residential-Planned (R-P).
Section 2. That by this ordinance the concept plan, shown as Attachment 3, be adopted as it identifies the uses, density, and height as required per UDC Section 50-14.7.H.
Section 3. That the official zoning map of the City of Duluth as referenced in Chapter 50 of the Duluth City Code, 1959, is amended to read as shown in Attachment 1.
Section 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days from and after its passage and publication.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This ordinance provides a zoning change from Residential-Traditional (R-1) and Residential-Urban (R-2) to Residential-Planned (R-P) to support redevelopment of the property. Portions of this property was previously owned and used by DWP Railroad. The site likely contained structures and at least 10 sets of railroad tracks.
Good zoning practice and statutory requirements establish that zone districts are consistent with the adopted future land use plan identified for the area. In this case, the future land use designation calls for a mix of traditional neighborhood and urban residential, supported as part of the Irving-Fairmont Brownfields Revitalization Plan (IFBRP) which was adopted as an appendix to the Imagine Duluth 2035 Comprehensive Plan through city council resolution 18-0240R. The amendment to R-P for this site meets the intent of providing a mix
of both land uses, while preserving natural resources and significant open space.
A public meeting is required in advance of an application for a UDC Map Amendment to R-P. A meeting was held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, with 23 people in attendance, most of whom were from the adjacent neighborhood. Based on comments received at the public meeting, the applicant amended the proposal for new construction within the proposed R-P area, reducing the total number of units, reducing the height allowed, and removing “multifamily” as a use in response to neighbor concerns.
On May 9, 2023, the Duluth city planning commission held a public hearing on the proposal as described in the staff report found in Attachment 4. The planning commission voted 5 yeas, 0 nays, 0 abstentions, to recommend that the city council approve the rezoning requested for the following reasons:
1) This proposal is consistent with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the IFBRP.
2) The proposal R-P District is consistent with the future land use categories “Open Space” and “Urban Residential.”
3) Material adverse impacts on nearby properties are not anticipated.
Petitioner: DEDA
Request Filed: April 4, 2023
Action Deadline: August 2, 2023
PL 23-033