An application for an excavation and grading permit for the Seventh Street Station property has put the city of Corvallis in a bind.

The application was turned in last week.

The city is in the process of trying to complete a comprehensive plan map amendment and zone change on the 5-acre property, which sits near Western Boulevard and Seventh Street, from medium- and high-density residential to mixed-use employment. The change would include a $10,000 transportation analysis.

The application, however, is filed under the current residential zone.

"All of the staff work and the city work would be to establish a non-conforming use," said City Manager Jon Nelson.

The dilemma, and whether to continue with the zoning change, will be discussed at the Corvallis City Council meeting that begins at 7 p.m. Monday in the downtown fire station at 400 N.W. Harrison Boulevard.

Last week, in anticipation of receiving the development plans, the city cancelled a planning commission public hearing on the map amendment and zone change scheduled for Wednesday.

Nelson said the permit application didn't show any potential structure or structures on site.

"Building permit to follow," Nelson said.

Dan Carlson, the city's development services manager, said he expects developers to apply for a foundation-only permit early this week.

"It will tell you the basic building footprint that will be there. We don't always get elevations with foundation-only permits," he added.

Last June, the city removed a planned development overlay from the Seventh Street Station property. The overlay removal was ordered by the state in response to a state law that directed communities to remedy a lack of affordable housing.

The city, however, also voted 5-4 to immediately change the zone to general industrial, from medium to high-density residential.

In 2003, the property was changed from general industrial to residential because of the overlay, which set conditions on development and eased neighbors' fears of a massive apartment complex.

An appeal was filed, and in November, the state Land Use Board of Appeals ordered the zone be switched back to residential. In February, however, the council voted to pursue the zone change to mixed-use employment, which requires a planned development overlay.

Kyle Odegard can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.