Re-zone proposal advances in Colfax planning council

Members of the Colfax Planning Commission endorsed a proposal to re-zone two segments of Mill Street from commercial to a residential zone. The proposal will now go before the city council where a formal hearing will be required before it goes to a vote of the council.

The rezone petition was submitted by Anna Schluneger, agent for Kincaid Real Estate.

Potential buyers of houses in the two neighborhoods have found banks and other loan companies reluctant to approve loans because of a three-year rebuild requirement for houses located in the commercial zones. The houses must be replaced in that time limit or the waiver for having a residence in the commerical zone will expire.

The restriction has already bogged down potential sales on some of the residentail properties listed.

The proposed changes would be along N. Mill Street from Park to North Street which runs along the north side of the courthouse.

The S. Mill segment would extend from Canyon Street south to Highway 195 at Wawawai Street. The zone change would include properties between Mill and the east side alley of Main Street. It would also include houses on the east side of Mill, including the Nixon Street area at the top of Mill Street Hill.

The proposal calls for the zone to be changed from commercial to a residential 2 zone which will allow single family houses and apartments. A majority of structures in the two areas are now houses with a few apartment buildings.

Approximately 30 people showed up for the planning commission hearing July 25 at city hall.