The proposal will now go the Johnson City Commission for another round of consideration.
Planning board members voted 6-1 to rezone 11 parcels from a mixture of I-2 (heavy industrial) and R-4 (medium density residential) to R-2 (low-density residential) and MX-1 (mixed use neighborhood). One property, currently home to Church Brothers Family Fun Store, would change from I-2 to B-3 (supporting central business district).
Chairwoman Stacey Wild voted against the request.
City staff, who requested the rezoning, have said the proposal lays the groundwork for some walkable, neighborhood-appropriate goods and services near Founders Park and Mountain Home.
It also eliminates outdated industrial zoning on city-owned property that was in place before the creation of Founders Park.
Guest Opinion: Equity needed for quality of life johnsoncitypress.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from johnsoncitypress.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Guest Opinion
Guest Opinion
On Jan. 21, the Johnson City Commission had a workshop, during which Commissioner Brock submitted a proposal for a Community Equity Advisory Board.
Because of the news and social media, we are well aware of your comments, Mayor Wise, saying that âheterosexual white males need not applyâ and that people who do not have the good fortune of experiencing equitable treatment consider participating on boards and commissions at the âadult table.â Commissioners Hunter and Murphy and Vice Mayor Fowler, you appeared to agree that no Community Equity Advisory Board need be created.
Subsequent to this workshop, it was discovered that instructions were given for the police department to provide a discussion of equity and equality at its Community Roundtable. The function of this Roundtable is to develop communication, especially with the young people in the community. The discussion was limited to one hour.
Johnson City gears up to advertise West Walnut Street project johnsoncitypress.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from johnsoncitypress.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
In a state where there are roughly 95 men for every 100 women, there is only one female on the Johnson City Commissionâs five-member board.
Commissioner Jenny Brock highlighted that detail at the bodyâs regular meeting on March 4, during which the city issued a proclamation recognizing March as Womenâs History Month.
âAs particularly our young daughters and grandchildren move into the world theyâre going to experience, we need to see more leadership,â Brock said. âIn my last two years of serving on the commission I am going to promote that and try to encourage and mentor women in this community to run for office.â