Seneca re-zoning request denied

Residential zone property south of the railroad track should remain residential in the view of Seneca’s planning commissioners. They voted last night to turn down an application on behalf of four brothers to change property along S. Oak, S. Fifth, and S. Fairplay streets to office and neighborhood commercial. Planning commission votes are advisory and subject to city council approval. Richard Smith, the applicant on behalf of three other brothers, told the planning commissioners that he agreed with an analysis given by Tamy Sanford, city planner. In that analysis, Sanford said a five-block area on S. Oak Street is “in transition.” However, Sanford said two of the lots are within the city’s historic review district and 502 S. Fair Play is “a contributing historic dwelling.” A S. Fair Play Street resident since 1978, Bill Foster registered his opposition to commercial development in his neighborhood. The commissioners then voted 5-0 to deny the application.