Shopping center scaled back

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001 | 10:59 a.m.

Zoning approved Dec. 20 for a controversial shopping center was withdrawn Wednesday by the County Commission, and a new proposal, acceptable to area residents, will be considered next month.

Representatives for developer Mary Ann Giles told the commission that the 2.5-acre lot at the corner of Cheyenne Avenue and Campbell Road would be business and professional offices, not a shopping center.

The concession deflated opposition from the residents who attended the reconsideration meeting. Dozens of residents had protested the Dec. 20 application for commercial zoning, but most said that business-professional zoning was acceptable all along.

Commissioner Chip Maxfield, joined by four of his colleagues in the unanimous vote, supported the reconsideration motion. Maxfield said later that he had helped broker a compromise between the residents living nearby the shopping center and the developer.

"We're OK with that (new zoning)," said resident Mark Ireland, who lives near the lot and had bitterly opposed the commercial zoning. "This is a positive development."

Patrick Foley, a real estate broker working with the developer, said the business zoning would be more compatible with the residential character of the area.

He said the developer will meet with residents soon to iron out any remaining concerns.

Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, who voted for the original zoning request allowing the local business zoning in the residential area, submitted the unusual request for reconsideration.

Woodbury said he voted for the original commercial zoning, despite reservations, because it was supported by former Commissioner Lance Malone. Because Maxfield, who has since replaced Malone on the commission, didn't vote on the original application, he couldn't motion for reconsideration.