The zoning change case (#Z 03-127) on Linden Avenue in the Idlewild Historic District went before the Land Use Control Board (LUCB) on February 12.  It was denied by the LUCB but it still goes before City Council and could be approved.  The dates are not set yet for when it will appear before Council but it will probably be late April.

The application for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) proposed for The Village neighborhood was held at the February LUCB meeting but it will return on March 11th during the afternoon session which beings at 1pm.  This case (#PD 03-368) involves a proposal for 6 parcels in The Village neighborhood.  The Village is located off Poplar a little bit north of Goodlett on the south side and was laid out in 1938.  The developer has contracts on the 6 properties in this application.  If this application is approved, he plans to demolish the homes on the 6 lots and develop a PUD for 17 houses.  The neighborhood is opposed.

The case involving the Shadowlawn Historic District and the parking lot proposed by a nearby church has been resolved.  The church is located on South Parkway across the street from the neighborhood. They bought land across the street at the entrance to Shadowlawn where they planned to tear down the existing house and build a parking lot.   After having the case postponed a few times, it was withdrawn by the church.  The reason was that, under current zoning code, churches are allowed parking lots by right on property they own that is within 350' of their primary church building.  This right can apply to land that is not contiguous with the rest of their property, as in this case, across a public street.  So there will be no opportunity for a public meeting as it is not required under zoning code.

This brings up an important note.  Our current zoning regulations are in the process of being revised.  If you have suggestions, such as on land use allowed by right to churches, rooming & boarding houses, PUDs being located within our historic neighborhoods with incongruent setbacks, density & orientation, or other issues that have come up etc., now would be the time to make your voice heard.   You should contact:

Richard Copeland, Interim Division Direction
Division of Planning and Development
City Hall, 125 N. Main St. Room 468
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone - 576-6601
Fax - 576-6603
Email - Rick.Copeland@cityofmemphis.org

Terry Emerick, Director
Office of Planning and Development
City Hall, 125 N. Main St. Room 468
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone - 576-6601
Fax - 576-6603
Email - Phil.Emerick@cityofmemphis.org