By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

LAKESIDE PARK - Citizens in this suburb are expected to turn out in droves to discuss the possibility of a business expanding in a city with no commercial zoning.

The Lakeside Park City Council meeting Monday night has been moved from the city building to Immanuel United Methodist Church at 2551 Dixie Highway, to accommodate the crowd.

The issue drawing attention is a request by Barleycorn's restaurant on Dixie Highway to remodel its restrooms to accommodate the disabled, and to expand its kitchen storage area.

Barleycorn's made the request last year. The issue has carried over to the new city administration that took office Jan. 1 this year, and will be discussed in detail for the first time Monday night.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

The proposed kitchen expansion would require some exterior modifications, which are not allowed under current zoning regulations.

Barleycorn's is a non-conforming entity in a residential zone.

There is no commercial zoning in the city, which has a population of 2,869 in the 2000 Census and a median housing value of $135,000.

Mayor Karen Gamel said one proposal is to rezone a parcel of land on Dixie Highway from Barleycorn's to the parking lot of Lakeside Presbyterian Church.

"There is a group that is opposed to business zoning in our city and they requested the larger facility for the meeting," Gamel said.

Both anonymous and signed fliers about the proposed zoning change have been circulating throughout the community.

The authors of the fliers fear that allowing a commercial zone variance for Barleycorn's could allow other businesses to request commercial zoning in the city.