Downtown Hotspot Could See Commercial Growth as Council Advances Rezoning

The Stillwater City Council advanced the rezoning of a property at 1002 South Husband Street from residential to commercial use, paving the way for business expansion near existing establishments in the area.

The council voted 5-0 during its June 2 meeting to advance the rezoning ordinance to second reading, following a previous tie vote in October 2024 that resulted in no decision.

Henry Bibelheimer, senior planner for the city, presented the map amendment request to rezone the property from Two-Family Residential to Commercial Business.

"The property is located south of West 10th Avenue with Commercial Business zoning located north of the subject property," Bibelheimer explained.

The property currently contains a single-family structure and detached garage. Empire Slice House and Stonecloud Patio & Taproom are located northeast of the intersection in an already commercially zoned area along with Memory Lane Vintage Mall to the north.

Cory Williams, the applicant, addressed the council about his plans for the property.

"I intend to repurpose the existing house by adding on to the back of it. And I intend to make it a neighborhood restaurant utilizing the 1930s craftsman architecture," Williams said.

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Williams highlighted that his request aligns with the city's comprehensive plan and noted that similar uses were previously allowed in the area.

"A few years ago, we could have done this without having to stand in front of you when the BID [business improvement district] was originated back in, I want to say, 2008," Williams said. "Part of that was to allow these uses by right. And when the BID expired, so did the overlay zoning that went with it."

Williams referenced his previous developments in the area, including Stonecloud and Empire Slice House, suggesting that concerns about negative effects on the neighborhood from those projects had not materialized.

Janet Rogers, who lives directly south of the property, expressed concerns about commercial encroachment.

"I'm just concerned about the fact that the commercial business is encroaching into my space now, into my living space, and that it will continue to do so," Rogers said.

Property owner Cory Williams intends to convert the home into a small restaurant. – Photo by Chris Peters

The Planning Commission had previously recommended approval of the rezoning with a 3-0 vote on October 1, 2024. When the matter first came before the City Council on October 21, 2024, it resulted in a 2-2 tie vote.

Councilor Kevin Clark, who previously voted against the rezoning, explained his change of position.

"I was one of the no votes last time, and the reason for my no vote was that this property at 1006 was going to be surrounded on both sides by this business," Clark said. "We had two things in front of us that night, and I was concerned about that, and I voted no. I'm fine with this proposal without the parking lot."

Mayor Will Joyce acknowledged the challenges of zoning decisions.

"This sort of a zoning question is probably the toughest or at least one of the toughest things we deal with as council," Joyce said. "We're talking about the conflict between existing areas and existing neighborhoods and the growth of commercial areas or the growth of other uses into those areas."

Joyce added, "Given its proximity to Main Street and its proximity to Block 34, which will be open here in just a little bit, and its proximity to other newer growing businesses in the area, I think it's difficult to say that the nature of that area is not going to continue to change in some way."

Vice Mayor Amy Dzialowski, who also previously voted against the rezoning, expressed support for the current proposal.

"I appreciate that the plan is to preserve some of the character that can often have a buffering effect, I think, to the commercial development that's happening around to have some kind of softer transition into commercial," Dzialowski said.

The rezoning ordinance for 1002 South Husband Street will return for second reading at a future council meeting.

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Rezoning approved for potential 'pocket community' downtown

Councilors also gave final approval to rezone property at 1023 South Husband Street from residential to commercial. Cory Williams also requested this zoning change to enable development of a "pocket community" that could see 13 small single-family homes built on lots totaling less than half an acre.

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Youth ministry withdraws permit application to operate on residential property

In other business, the council acknowledged the withdrawal of a Specific Use Permit application from Matthew Clark and KLife youth ministries. The application had sought permission for a church or religious institution in a Small Lot Single Family Residential district.

"Staff has received a request from the applicant to withdraw the specific use permit application for 1307 North Husband Street," said Kimberly Carnley, City Attorney.

On May 20, 2025 the Planning Commission voted 2-1 to recommend denial of KLife's application. Neighbors expressed multiple concerns about ongoing activities at the property despite lacking proper permits.

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