Harold Yellin, agent for Old Town Trolley Tours/Historic Tours of America, Inc., petitioner (File No. 17-006172-ZA) is requesting approval of a zoning map amendment for three properties located at 234 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to rezone the properties from their current B-C (Community Business) classification to a B-C-1 (Central Business) classification. The properties are currently occupied by a storage/service facility for the trollies and a small off-street parking lot.

The owner of the properties, Old Town Trolley Tours/Historic Tours of America, Inc., is desirous of developing multiple uses on the site including (Sec. 8-3025(b)) a craft distillery (use 93), a restaurant which serves alcoholic beverages (use 48), a museum (use 19), specialty shops (use 36a), and a package shop (use 48c). With the exception of the craft distillery, all of the proposed uses are permitted in the current B-C zoning district.

As an alternative to the rezoning, the Planning Commission is proposing to allow a craft distillery (Sec. 8-3025(b) use 93) as a permitted use in the B-B and B-C zoning districts, subject to conditions (File No. 17-006721-ZA). Though not consistent with the original request, the property owner and rezoning petitioner supports the Commission’s recommendation.  If the text amendment is approved, they will still be able to develop the property as proposed without rezoning.

On November 21, 2017, the Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of the proposed rezoning of 234 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard from the B-C Zoning District to the BC-1 Zoning District.

Denial