Q&A
Special permit request for use group 7 laboratories in commercial area
1:03:19
ยท
62 sec
Council Member Kevin Riley inquires about the request for a special permit to allow use group 7 laboratories in a commercial area where they are not currently permitted. Cecilia Kushner explains the rationale behind this request.
- Long-term investment in commercial life science building requires flexible zoning
- Aim to be responsive to changes and evolution in the life science sector
- Seeking broad land use possibilities to accommodate future changes in the next 5-10 years
- Special focus on the intersection of AI, tech, and life sciences
- Special permit request intended to ensure maximum adaptability for future developments
Kevin Riley
1:03:19
Okay.
1:03:20
My last question before I turn over to council member Powers.
1:03:23
You are requesting a special permit to allow use group 7 laboratories in a commercial area where they are not currently permitted.
1:03:31
Can you talk more about these laboratories and why other laboratories under use groups permitted in commercial districts are not compatible?
Cecilia Kushner
1:03:39
Sure.
1:03:39
Do you wanna take it?
1:03:41
Sure.
1:03:42
So we are looking at a long term investment in this commercial life science building, and so we wanted to have the zoning, proposal in in front of of us that was the most nimble possible to be responsive to changes and evolution in the life science sector overall.
1:03:58
What we're seeing we're seeing a tremendous amount of, evolution right now, especially as as Julian mentioned, as it relates to RFEI at the intersection of AI, tech, and life science.
1:04:10
And so we just wanna make sure that land use is as broad as possible possible to allow for whatever changes may happen in the next 5, 10 years that we may not be aware of today.
1:04:19
And so this is why we're seeking the special permit.