Zone changes for a 7 Brew Coffee, an autism support facility and a Tesla charging station expansion have been approved by Florence City Council.
The approval occurred during a council meeting on Tuesday, following a previous discussion in which the Boone County Planning Commission recommended approval.
7 Brew Coffee
Council approved a zoning change for 7 Brew Coffee, a drive-thru only coffee shop, part of a national chain with several locations, including one in Cincinnati and several in Louisville.
Two former Rawlings Company buildings at 8109 and 8113 US 42 will be torn down to make room for the shop. Developers requested a zone change from Suburban Residential One and Office Two to Commercial Services as well as a variance to reduce the buffer yard width in a small section (.3 acre) from 10 to 3 feet.
The ordinance allowing the changes passed council with a 4 to 2 vote. Those who voted against it had expressed some concerns over traffic at the site.
Connections: Skill for Life zone change
Connections: Skills for Life is a nonprofit facility that serves young people aged 11 to 21 with high-functioning autism. The facility will be located in a 5,000-square-foot building at 45 Cavalier Blvd. near Christo Rey Church.
The developers requested a change of concept to allow “life learning skills” as one of the uses for the building. The original use was as a medical office facility. With the request, they included a list of other potential uses for the space should they vacate the building in the future.
The planning commission refined its list and included it as a condition. The commission also requested that the facility add landscaping to the .88-acre property to bring it into compliance. The developer included a landscaping plan.
The facility will teach communication and basic skills, provide family time and recreation, and include a demonstration apartment for students to practice their daily living skills.
The request was approved unanimously by council.
Tesla charging station expansion
SMJ International, on behalf of Tesla, requested to add additional EV charging spaces to their existing charging station located in Meijer’s parking lot, 4990 Houston Road. The request was a change of concept to add .16 acres from the parking lot for the additional spaces.
The developer agreed to a planning commission request to add a tree to help shield the facility from the store.
Council approved the request unanimously.