The Holbrook Planning and Zoning Commission held a meeting Feb. 1, during which commissioners approved a conditional use permit request for Bread of Life Mission. The permit is to place an additional modular home on parcel 109-37-005H for more housing options, located at 885 Hermosa Drive. The building would be used as additional housing for women staying at the mission.
It was stated that the city sent out letters to owners of the neighboring properties for input, and received one comment that presented no objection.
The parcel is split in two separate zones, making further development difficult. Chairman Mike Sample stated if the owners of the Bread of Life Mission would like to come back in the future and request for a zoning change for further development that they would be able to do so. “If you want to expand further for residential into that commercial area, then it would be prohibited until that’s changed. So maybe that’s something that can be looked at in the future.”
The commission also discussed the historic district overlay. Commercial Code Enforcement Officer Joe Jarvis stated that previously the commission agreed to go to the city and ask that they act as the historic preservation committee for the time being. “There was also discussion about in the city code; it mentions an historic district overlay.” While Jarvis could not find a historic district, he was able to surmise with help from the commission that the historic district is labeled, which is the area of the city south of the railroad tracks along Bucket of Blood Street.
Jarvis further explained that a historic district can have different types of zoning within it, such as commercial and residential. “So, when people are remodeling or constructing something new, that they’re going to have ‘the look.’” He added it can also have a restrictive option to help dictate what kind of develop is done within that space. “I would suggest we consider in a future conversation discussing where do we want to apply our historic district requirements.”
Commissioner David Smith stated he thinks this could give the city more of a voice for development. He explained that they’ve received complaints about the old Mobil station that was recently torn down on Hopi Drive in order for a new Dollar General to be built. “A lot of people don’t understand how building works. You don’t need permission from anybody, if you own the land and it’s already been sold for that.” Smith added that it would give the city more say of how the new building could look if there was a historic district in that area. “Just to say something like ‘we don’t want to change anything drastic what you’re planning to do, but we’d love to have you give a little characteristic of what you know what used to be here.’ And I think the city would actually benefit from something like that.” He said that he doesn’t believe they want to make it challenging for new development, but just to promote the historical significance.
Chairman Sample and Commissioners Smith and Buddy Dupee were in attendance, with Vice-Chairman Trent Larsen and Commissioner Aaron Colon absent.
