It was recently suggested that, as College Station has no definition of neighborhood commercial zoning, that classification should just default to general commercial zoning. While that logic should be questioned on several levels, let’s think about what would be included in Neighborhood Commercial zoning classification.
First of all, it would serve the neighborhood. That means that most of the patrons of one of these businesses would walk or ride a bike to the location. It would require less parking.
Also, it would be smaller. Palm Beach, FL restricts businesses In their neighborhood zones to 2000 SF.
It would not interfere with neighborhood tranquility. Hours of operation, volume of vehicular traffic and noise would all be more carefully controlled.
Mixed use neighborhoods can be very attractive and provide an appealing, largely self-contained area, which lends to walkability and reduced traffic. This kind of development requires a dense population. As College Station develops higher density locations, well defined neighborhood commercial zoning will help us create a well-planned beautiful city.
Don’t you think that well defined neighborhood commercial should be a part of the zoning options in our Unified Development Ordinance?
Yes, thank you, great idea!