There was a CRUCIAL Board of Adjustment meeting on Monday Nov 5 2 pm, for Stokley Garden Express at 1451-1459 Govt St, for a USE VARIANCE to operate a Garden Center in a B1 zone by use variance. CONGRATULATIONS TO STOKLEY GARDEN EXPRESS AND TO MIDTOWN FOR SUPPORTING THE RETURN OF GARDENING TO OUR BEAUTIFUL AREA! STOKLEY'S VARIANCES WERE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. APPROXIMATELY 40-50 RESIDENTS TURNED OUT IN SUPPORT OF THIS BUSINESS AND THE VARIANCE THEY SOUGHT. GOOD WORK, ALL! THANKS TO THE STOKLEY TEAM FOR REACHING OUT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD DURING THEIR PLANNING PROCESS, TO THE STOKLEY FAMILY FOR MAKING IT CLEAR THEY WANT TO "JOIN OUR MIDTOWN FAMILY," AND TO OUR RESIDENTS WHO WELCOME GOOD COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

The staff report recommends DENIAL of the variance BUT INSTEAD RECOMMENDS AN UPZONE TO B3 to the existing B1 zone at the site !!

THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In pre-development meetings, Stokley AGREED to help the area historic districts by SEEKING TO OPERATE ON A VARIANCE IN A B1 ZONE RATHER THAN UPZONE TO B3 TO OPERATE A GARDEN CENTER. B3 ZONING IS MUCH MORE INTENSE, ALLOWS A BROAD RANGE OF DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDING MANY THAT WOULD BE EGREGIOUS TO A HISTORIC DISTRICT BESIDE A CHURCH AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (LOAN SHARKS, POOL HALLS, MANUFACTURING, LIQUOR SALES, ETC) AND CANNOT BE ALLOWED! ZONING RUNS WITH THE LAND, SO THIS ZONE WOULD STAY IN PLACE FOR ANY FUTURE OWNER!!

PLEASE COMMUNICATE TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT BY MONDAY AT 2PM TO SUPPORT THE VARIANCE AS REQUESTED!!! ATTEND THE MEETING IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, MON. NOV 5, 2PM, GOVT PLAZA IN THE AUDITORIUM JUST BEYOND THE MAIN FRONT DOOR CHECKIN STATION.

THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION, IF FOLLOWED, FAILS TO "PROVIDE JUSTICE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD" AS THE ORDINANCE REQUIRES.

GO TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT WEBSITE ONLINE TO LEAVE YOUR COMMENT.https://www.buildmobile.org/board-of-adjustment?meeting=229