UHNA Zoning
BK&M has filed a new rezoning request for the properties at National and Sunshine, this time to Office 02 with a conditional overlay (scroll down to view and download the COD language).
In a neighborhood meeting August 21, the developers made clear their sole goal is to get the properties rezoned so they can sell.
The rezoning request goes to Planning & Zoning on September 11, 6:30 p.m. at the Regional Police & Fire Training Center, 2620 W. Battlefield. Then it goes on to City council for first reading on October 6, and for a vote October 20.
Reasons we Oppose This Request
Your UHNA Board has developed a document that presents our objections to BK&M's latest rezoning request. It specifies the many ways the request violates the letter and intention of the Sunshine Corridor Study, Forward SGF and City Council's rezoning review criteria. As we enter Year Four of resisting this inappropriate development, we are taking a strategic approach addressing policy and consequences for ALL neighborhoods rather than the personal stories City Council has already heard many times.
If you are willing to write a letter to the editor or speak at or write to P&Z or Council, please email us at uhnasgf@gmail.com to request the document.
UHNA Board Releases Statement on Rezoning Request
UHNA Board of directors released on August 25 the statement below via Facebook and the media:
The University Heights Neighborhood Board of Directors unanimously oppose BK&M’s latest request to rezone properties at Sunshine and National to Office 02.
We call on Planning & Zoning and City Council to reject this rezoning request because of the ongoing taxpayer-funded Sunshine Corridor Study. The study encompasses every inch of our neighborhood and seeks to develop a coherent approach to managing three miles of a major street. The last thing we need is hasty rezoning that could easily conflict with the study’s recommendations.
There is no compelling need for the city to rezone these properties to achieve viable economic use. We welcome improvement options that would not require rezoning, such as a park, gardens, church or community space, and more. The city has no obligation to accommodate a speculator who seeks to undermine a neighborhood.
Forward SGF clearly states the value to the whole city of preserving traditional neighborhoods: desirable housing, property investment, ecological green corridors, strong community, quality of life, and quality of place.
Inappropriate rezoning requests like this harm the whole city, and spot rezoning would accelerate the domino effect of further rezoning along Sunshine.
Neighborhood homeowners have invested far more into their properties than BK&M has, and we should be equally valued as investors in the city.
We appreciate the consideration that Planning and Zoning and City Council have given to upholding the rights of neighborhoods in this matter.
2025 UHNA Board
Holly Acharya Maggie Castrey
Rina Edge Kevin Evans
Donna Hemann Ashton Lewis
Sue Robinson Jeff VanDenBerg
University Heights Neighborhood is recognized as a Traditional Neighborhood place type according to the ForwardSGF Comprehensive Plan adopted on 11/14/2022.
