Cuba Planning and Zoning Committee met Jan. 29 for two separate meetings to discuss rezoning requests.

The committee began the first meeting with Aldo Alu from Spring Creek Holdings who wanted to discuss the possibility of rezoning two lots, located at the corner of Davis Street and Grand Avenue, from residential (R1) to multi-family (R2). He plans to use the lots to build a triplex.

“There’d be a three-family triplex: two bedrooms, one bath,” Alu said.

He is starting with one lot and wants to build there, but he may build another one eventually.

President Randy Tiner opened the floor to the audience for those to give their thoughts on the subject.

James Bockover, a resident of East Grand Avenue, is concerned about the increased amount of traffic.

“There’ll probably be a bit of an increase off of Davis Street, and it’s a small street to start with, you know. And I have a small child, four years old,” Bockover said. “I’ve had to get her out of the road. Shouldn’t be chasing a ball or ride a bike out there.”

He also mentioned that it would bring the property value down.

“Would you want an apartment complex right next to your house?” Bockover asked. “But as far as I’ve talked, around the area is opposed to building a complex there.”

He explained that he wouldn’t have an objection to two single-family homes, but a complex is not ideal for the area.

“ I live off School Street. People go up and down the street like it’s nothing, all the time, but we just have to watch them,” Tiner said. “I understand what we’re saying about safety, and you know, but the street is as wide as it’s going to be, and we definitely need more housing in town, do we not?”

Tiner mentioned that he doesn’t understand Bockover’s point about property value going down since he also lives near a complex.

“Well, I haven’t researched that, so I don’t really know. I know my property value has not gone down, it’s gone up. But again, that’s just the way the house is and where it’s at,” Tiner said.

Alu mentioned that he could do a duplex if it would help appease the surrounding residents.

“He seems like he’s willing to make an adjustment from triplex to two duplexes,” Tiner said. “If you’re willing to deal with the duplex situation, we don’t need a rezoning, right?”

Matt Brennan, another resident near the proposed triplex, also supported Bockover’s statement that it would decrease property value.

After hearing all arguments, the committee voted 4-0 to approve the rezoning and sent their decision to the Cuba Board of Aldermen.

The next meeting was to discuss the rezoning of 303 E. Washington Blvd. from residential (R1) to commercial (C1). 

Owner Jacob Highley spoke about why they wanted the rezoning.

“I have a shop over on (Route) 66. I’d like to open it as a gym,” Highley said.

Everything around where they own is already commercial, but for some reason, their property was left as residential. They want to rezone the building so that they can open it as a gym.

A 4-0 vote approved the rezoning to be sent to the Cuba Board of Aldermen and the Mayor.