News
Rezoning Discussion For Far East Side Continues
< < Back to rezoning-discussion-far-east-side-continuesThe possible re-zoning of an area on the far east side of Athens was the topic of lengthy discussion during Monday night’s City Council meeting and will be on the agenda again next week.
The area located between East State Street and Jacobs Street is currently zoned as R-2 but mainly has single family homes.
R-2 properties allow for duplexes while R-1 properties are for single family homes.
During Monday night’s meeting residents like Jeff Dill said it was time to re-evaluate the zoning which was last done in the 1960's.
"I would hate to see the whole thing side-tracked," said Dill, "Our primary goal is to recognize the existing family homes that are already there and rezone them to be R-1."
Dill adds that he isn't asking to re-zone the already existing R-2 duplexes; he is simply asking to re-zone the single family homes to be R-1 so they aren't improperly used.
Dill said residents hope to prevent further development of high density housing and decrease heavy traffic in the area.
Fourth Ward Representative, Chris Fahl, said that the citizens themselves have proposed the rezoning of the area.
"This has been done in other parts of the city through citizen petition," Fahl said, "Its citizens coming forward and asking the city to make a zoning change, which several neighborhoods have done in the past."
Fahl said the council will re-visit the zoning issue next Tuesday.