During the latest city council meeting, information on the Department of Development’s wish to change the zoning code for the area around Jackson-Taylor Park was presented.

Today, the council will review an official resolution for that change tonight.

Specifically, the agenda for tonight’s meeting notes that the city of Jamestown has had two variance applications this year for this area to change the allowable use of this R-2 zoned district. The land in this area faces challenges to build new structures while existing buildings are not being utilized to the fullest ability due to existing zoning restrictions.

Currently, as an R-2 district, structures able to be built in this area fall under a two-family residential district, meaning it allows for any structure that would fall under an R-1 or single-family residential district, and two-family dwellings. The Department of Development is looking to change the zoning code to a C-1, or neighborhood commercial district, allowing for uses and structures including residential, general offices, personal service establishments, and retail when closed.

The boundary of this area is between Jackson Taylor Park, the back lot boundaries of Lafayette

Street, and the northern side of Eighth Street until it meets the C-2 boundary. If passed during the voting session at the end of the month the zoning change will officially go into effect immediately on Aug. 25.

During the last city council housing committee meeting, Deputy Director of Development, Kasie Foulk said this change would allow for certain commercial buildings to be put in that area, but not structures like gas stations or car repair shops or anything with a harsh environmental impact. Specifically, she said they are focusing on small, closed retail like a cafe or small business.

It was also noted during that meeting that there are a lot of vacant properties and warehouses in the area that are not being fully utilized or just sitting vacant that could have something done with them with the change to a C-1 zoning area.

The council’s work session begins at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the police training room on the fourth floor of city hall. Council committees meet before the work session. The Housing Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. in the police training room with the Finance Committee at 7 p.m. in the mayor’s fourth floor conference room, the Public Safety Committee in the police training room at 7 p.m. and the Public Works Committee in the Development Department conference room at 7 p.m.