Council Approves Jefferson Street Rezoning

Washington City Council members Monday night approved a rezoning request and an amended site plan for a proposed office building at the northwest corner of Jefferson and 13th streets.

An ordinance authorizing the rezoning  — from R-1B, single-family residential, to C-4, planned commercial — was unanimously approved following a public hearing.

There were no objections expressed to the zoning change during the hearing.

Jason Unnerstall sought the zoning change under plans to construct an Edward Jones office on the parcel.

The site plan approved by the council includes vegetation buffers along the west side of the property and a portion along the north side. An opaque fence will be constructed on part of the north side of the building.

City Engineer Dan Boyce explained that C-4 zoning allows commercial uses but also offers protection to adjoining property owners with the approved site plan.

If the use would change in the future, the owner would have to come back and get city approval for a new site/development plan, Boyce said.

The planning and zoning commission last week recommended approving the rezoning request. At that meeting, one neighbor said he did not object to Unnerstall’s plan but expressed concern about possible future uses if it is sold.

Jefferson Street is designated for future commercial use in the city’s comprehensive development plan.