Zoning Open Houses and Ratification Meetings

A lot of things have happened in Downtown since the inception of the Downtown Peculiar Arts & Culture District-hustle, bustle and art all over the place! Arguably, one of the most far reaching was the "official" creation of the Arts & Culture Overlay District by creating specialized zoning that will allow the District to grow and prosper.

This multi step process involving DPACD, the City, Downtown citizens, property owners and business owners started in March and was completed on May 19th, 2009 with a 6-0 vote by the Board of Aldermen in favor of adopting the zoning.

The mixed use zoning allows for the most important element in successful arts districts-live/work space for artists. It also protects the small town, bungalow character of Downtown while setting the stage for controlled growth and thoughtful development. Big box stores will be prohibited by the zoning, preventing large franchises from coming in and pushing out small business and/or leveling existing buildings thus scarring the face of Downtown. Small business and home businesses which are a fit in an arts district will find a haven within the new zoning.

Moving forward, the focus will be to best leverage the zoning by continuing our efforts to grow this fledgling, pedestrian based, shopping and entertainment district which is woven within the fabric of a mixed residential and commercial district.