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TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1988 <br /> <br />defeated and, therefore, the Commission now recommends retention of that area's <br />present residential-usage designation as well as denial of Miss Jane English's <br />recent petition seeking P-2 Professional zoning of her properties (Lots No. 18 <br />thru 22) at 502-514 East Church Street. In support of its recommendation, the <br />Commission reported that it took into consideration City Staff findings, as <br /> <br />follows: <br /> 1. <br /> <br />Because of recent rezonings of properties along Market <br />Street, Starling Avenue, and other areas to commercial and <br />professional usage, the City presently has more than adequate <br />land designated for office and service-related business uses, <br />thus making it" ..... improper to designate a predominatly <br />residential area to professional uses"; <br /> <br />The impending development of a new shopping mall at Liberty <br />Street and Commonwealth Boulevard may lead to a shifting of <br />businesses from the City's downtown strong commercial office <br />base, and further dispersion by enlarging professional <br />districts would adversely affect the downtown business area; <br />and. <br /> <br />Professional usage of the East Church Street areas under <br />consideration would exacerbate already-serious traffic <br />problems in that area. <br /> <br />In an ensuing discussion of this matter and the findings, Councilman Cole raised <br /> <br />several questions concerning the real future of the particular area, the <br /> <br />likelihood of continued traffic congestion and problems irrespective of <br /> <br />designated usages, the presence or lack of children, and the probability that <br /> <br />professional zoning of Miss English's five lots would not "upset" the Land Use <br /> <br />Plan. In addition, Mr. Cole observed that business will go where it can find <br /> <br />adequate facilities and, too, there are numerous examples of "stripped" usage <br /> <br />and/or zoning already in the City. Vice-Mayor Williams, citing the need for <br /> <br />more affordable housing within the City, indicated his preference for <br /> <br />expressions from the people in the area before voting on any motion offered on <br /> <br />this matter. Miss English, petitioner, present at'this meeting, responded to <br /> <br /> <br />