Kendig Keast Collaborative has been hired to assist in drafting proposed amendments to the city’s zoning code that would create a new zoning district at the former Chevron campus at 4800 Fournace Place called the North Bellaire Special Development District.
The council voted 6-0 to approve hiring the firm, whose scope of work is set to not exceed $9,000, amended down from an original amount of $15,000.
Council member Catherine Lewis suggested the amendment, with support from Council member Nathan Wesely and Mayor Andrew Friedberg.
“Let’s not lose sight of what this was intended to be,” Friedberg said, advocating against setting aside too much money for the work. “This achieves the spirit of what we set out to do.”
Work on the zoning amendments comes as the city looks to transition the former Chevron property into a more viable commercial opportunity.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended to the council to hire Kendig in a 5-0 vote during its last meeting on March 12.
Included is work that involves coordinating with city staff, critiquing the current draft, possible drafting of new/modified provisions, and preparing for a planning and zoning workshop and public hearing, and more.
A public hearing is expected to be held May 14 on the rezoning, with June 11 the expected date for the rezoning amendments to come back before the Planning and Zoning Commission for consideration.
