Apartment zoning up for debate in Ephrata

Planning commission to look into allowing complexes to be built in a commercial zone

The Ephrata Planning Commission is considering a proposal that would again allow construction of apartment units in its C-2 commerical zone.

The C-2 zone extends through most of downtown Ephrata, covering the areas

where most of the business buildings stand.

City Planner Vivian Peterson said in a news release from the city of Ephrata that apartments were permitted in the general commercial zone in the past and more recently under a special-use permit.

"If people have concerns about this issue, they should come and let the planning commission hear those views," Peterson said in an interview with the Herald.

Construction of new units have not been allowed since 1995, according to the release, but existing apartment buildings are allowed to remain as legal non-conforming use.

Planning commissioners have said they can support multi-family structures in the C2 zone under certain conditions, but they have concerns that not many property owners are aware the proposal is being considered, according to the news release.

Some of those conditions include not creating undesirable traffic congestion, meeting the standards of the surrounding zone and not creating environmental problems, according to the proposal before the commission.

A minimum of seven apartments will be allowed to be developed with a landscaped area of at least 900 square feet allotted for each unit. A 300-square-foot area must be included for off-street parking, and the maximum height of the structure is 35 feet, or three stories.

Ephrata City Administrator Wes Crago said in an interview with the Herald that he hoped as many business owners as possible could come to the meeting so as to allow the planning commission to make as informed decision as possible.

Planning staff was directed to notify property owners in the C2 zone that the issue is under consideration and that the public hearing was continued to the Thursday evening Planning Commission meeting.

Ephrata Planning Commission meetings are held in the Ephrata City Council Chambers the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, starting at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Vivian Peterson at 754-4601 ext. 124.