By David Sowders | Silverbelt
A developer’s request to rezone the property around a former school in Globe – the first step in their proposed renovation of the historic building – got off to a bumpy start, facing opposition from some community members over parking, traffic safety, crime and property value concerns, and a City Planning & Zoning Commission vote against recommending the request. Their road got smoother, however, when the issue went before City Council last week.
During their February 8 meeting, voting as one, the council granted Gorman & Company’s rezoning request, which sought to apply a Planned Area Development (PAD) Overlay Zoning District to the Hill Street School property. The Wisconsin-based firm proposes to rehabilitate the school and add a second three-story building to create an affordable senior housing complex; a project council members saw as a chance to add needed housing while restoring a historic structure that has been vacant for 16 years.
