Mixed-use zoning plan advances in Fairfield

FAIRFIELD - The Fairfield Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a plan to alter zoning in a section of Fairfield to make it friendly to both commercial and residential uses.

The commission met Monday and approved a proposal to turn a section of town known as 'New Chicago” into a mixed-use zoning area. The area, between Lowe and Grimes avenues from Fifth Street to the midblock of Main Street and Second Street, is where a current residential zone meets a commercial zone, so homes are across the street from businesses. The zoning change would allow buildings that are now zoned as business to accommodate first-floor residences.

Fairfield City Council member Michael Halley said the purpose of the change to mixed-use zoning is to give property owners in the area more freedom over their buildings, with an eye toward spurring development. In particular, the city hopes the change will encourage property owners to create more residential space such as apartments.

Fairfield City Engineer Melanie Carlson said that, after the city had published its original map denoting the area to be rezoned, property owners just north of the district on Lowe Avenue petitioned to be let in. This would allow them to host both offices and apartments in their building.

'We believe the existing businesses are planning to stay in this area, and the currently vacant or low-occupied buildings can be switched into residential,” Carlson said.

In general, the change will create more opportunities for property owners. However, the city is setting some restrictions on the advice of its legal counsel, namely that it will prohibit second-story dwellings above a garage or any business where flammable materials are stored below. Halley said this was done out of a concern over possible litigation against the city should a tenant be harmed in a fire or from the fumes from dangerous gases. The only exception to this prohibition is that the business owner is allowed to reside above such a business, they just can't lease it to anyone else.

Now that the Planning and Zoning Commission has held a public hearing on the ordinance, it will go to the Fairfield City Council, which will consider the mixed-use zoning ordinance at its next meeting Monday. However, the plan is far from becoming law. Halley noted that after the council approves the mixed-use ordinance, it will have to publish a notice, planning and zoning will meet again, and the council will have to consider another set of ordinances on rezoning. The earliest this change could take effect is early June.