Conditional Use Permit / Commercial VS Residential Duplex

[Joe Sampson]

I have an up/down duplex I am currently renovating and have some choices to make.  It's on a very high traffic street, has a wrap around driveway and currently a zoned duplex in a mostly residential area.

The upstairs unit is a nice 2 bed 1 bath apartment that functions well and should be easily rented.  The lower level is a bit more tricky...in the past it has been a gift / flower shop and most recently its been an apartment.  

I have removed a staircase, brought down some walls and it is a really nice open space.  It's 900 sq feet with a wide open 600 sq ft front room with 10' ceilings and then a walk through to a kitchen & bathroom.  The lower level also has access to a nice unfinished 900 sq foot basement with a roughed in bathroom and laundry hookups...but no egress windows.  If your following me you're seeing that the main level / basement unit doesn't have a defined bedroom at the moment.

I'm Looking for some insight and thoughts on the pros and cons of residential vs commercial for this space.  The concept of adding 1 or 2 bedrooms on the main level or basement or leaving it as a wide open choose your own adventure type space.

If I wanted to go commercial with the space it would involve a conditional use permit, limited signage and would have to be a relatively low traffic business to meet the criteria by the city and limited parking.

Thanks!