January 6 2026
Planning Commission Meeting
Topics
Zone Map Amendment
Continued review of rezone request from R-2-10 to P-O for properties at 4545 South, 4555 South, and 4559 South Highland Drive (~0.36 acres)
Purpose and standards of the P-O (Professional Office) Zone
including setbacks, landscaping, parking, screening, signage, and lighting requirements and how they compare to the R-2 Zone
Parcel structure
Three parcels involved: 4545 South (front lot), 4555 South (rear lot), and 4559 South (driveway access parcel); uncertainty about why the County created the third parcel (possibly for taxing purposes)
Highland Drive Small Area Master Plan (2017)
and its guidance for transitioning land uses along Highland Drive (Segment A)
General Plan
Its relationship to the rezone request and the broader vision for Highland Drive as a transitional corridor
Residential use within the P-O Zone
Permitted with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP); property owner also expressed interest in pursuing a historical designation for the rear house (built in the 1940s)
Neighborhood meeting adequacy
Commissioner Cunningham raised concerns that submitted neighborhood meeting notes were incomplete (no attendee list, location, or time recorded)
Traffic and site access
Fire Marshal recommendation for a fire turnaround on the site to improve emergency access
Prior rezone history
Discussion of previous rezone activity along Highland Drive corridor; a prior application by this property owner was explored but not formally submitted
Public email comments
Seven email comments received prior to the meeting, predominantly in opposition
Meeting Minutes
(Action Item) — Minutes from June 24, 2025, and December 2, 2025, with a noted correction needed in the June 24, 2025 minutes (reference to Chair Roach to be removed)
Actions
Correct June 24, 2025 Meeting Minutes — remove reference to Chair Roach
Staff / CommissionNotesNoted during Work SessionRead all previously submitted email comments into the record
Commissioner PrinceNotesReferenced at the close of the available text; process was underwayFire turnaround to be considered for site access
Applicant / reviewed by Fire MarshalNotesRecommended by Fire Marshal for emergency vehicle accessContact City Attorney by phone if needed during the meeting
StaffNotesCity Attorney not physically present
Notes
Public Comments (Email — read into record by Commissioner Prince)
Seven email comments were received prior to the meeting. The following were summarized during the meeting:
Eugene Zanolli
Acting President, Cottonwood Glen HOA — Opposed; concerns about neighborhood impact and absence of information
Mitchell Family
(neighbors to the east) — Opposed; concerns about traffic congestion and property values
Nicole Valenzuela
Opposed; concerns about impact on her household
Serra and Braydon Nemelka
Opposed; concerns about impact of professional office use on property values
Douglas Wolf
Opposed; concerns about property values, traffic, and preserving residential quality
Sharon Kirby Butler
Opposed; concerns about traffic, negative visual impacts, and property values
(Seventh comment not yet summarized in the available text)
In-Person Public Comment
Ellen Mitchell
Raised a concern about whether all emails submitted prior to the previous meeting would be made available at this meeting; the minutes end mid-response.
Applicant Representatives
David George
and Jamie Walker represent property owners Matthew Michalis and David George
Mr. George noted five attendees at the required neighborhood meeting (including two residents — one in favor, one opposed)
The proposed development on the front parcel is intended to serve as a small office space for local architect Jamie Walker
The P-O Zone was described by Mr. George as more restrictive than the R-2 Zone in relevant ways
Staff Recommendation
City Planner Carrie Marsh recommended that the Planning Commission forward a positive recommendation to the City Council to approve the Zone Map Amendment, with findings included in the Staff Report
Document Incomplete: The minutes end mid-sentence during the public hearing. Subsequent public comments, commission deliberation, any motions, votes, and final disposition of both the Zone Map Amendment and the Meeting Minutes Action Item are not captured in the provided text.
Summarized July 2, 2026