Colfax considers amendment to mixed-use zoning district

The Colfax City Council on May 22 approved the introduction of an amendment to the mixed-use MU-1 zoning district, which allows for pedestrian-oriented uses on the ground floor or street-frontage spaces on Main Street. "I've been starting to get calls from a lot of brokers looking at renting some of the vacant spaces in the downtown area, and by the third call I realized I was turning folks away," said Kathy Pease, a planning consultant for the city. "So we decided to come forward with this amendment for your consideration to give more flexibility to potentially reduce vacant storefronts and support economic development. Pease noted with brick-and-mortar stores struggling in recent years due to online shopping, the concern was Colfax may have vacant storefronts indefinitely. According to Pease, the amendment would allow flexibility in filling spaces and uses that are allowed within the district on a building's second story or 30 feet from the property line. Those uses are: Community services Essential services Libraries and museums Veterinary clinic Broadcasting and recording studios Business support services Offices, professional Personal services "These uses are already allowed by right in the MU-1 District, and we're hoping that by activating those vacant spaces, even with things that aren't necessarily strictly retail, they will reduce potential blight and have secondary economic impacts," Pease said. "For instance, if a veterinarian office went into a vacant space, you'd have foot traffic. You'd potentially have folks that are coming for appointments that will stay and buy a coffee or something down the street, so that's the purpose." The council received one comment noting there are vacant stores because "nobody knows we exist" and that Colfax needed a reimaging to be marketed correctly. The council approved the introduction to the amendment in a unanimous 4-0 vote. Councilmember Trinity Burruss was absent. Pease confirmed the amendment would return for adoption at the council's June 12 meeting and would be effective 30 days after adoption.