During a recent council meeting, officials discussed a rezoning request aimed at expanding the Rivertown Child Development center located at 1911 North Main Street. The applicants have acquired an adjacent property currently zoned for low to medium density residential use, which they intend to combine with the existing childcare facility. However, to proceed with this plan, the property must be rezoned to a highway commercial district, aligning it with the current zoning of the childcare center.

The city’s future land use map, last updated in 2019, will require amendments if the rezoning is approved. This process includes two public hearings, the first of which has already taken place, with the second scheduled for the current council meeting. The subject property, previously home to a dilapidated residential structure, is now vacant. The proposed expansion includes adding to the childcare center, relocating the playground, and increasing parking for staff.

Concerns were raised regarding the potential encroachment of commercial development into a predominantly residential area. Unlike previous rezoning requests in the vicinity, which were closer to Main Street and involved properties with historical significance, this request is situated in a neighborhood that has historically maintained a residential character.

The discussion also highlighted the mixed-use nature of nearby streets, which include non-conforming lots and structures. Notably, a property across the street was recently rezoned to professional use, while adjacent properties have been designated as highway commercial. The council is weighing the implications of this rezoning, particularly in light of community concerns about maintaining the residential integrity of the area.

The applicants have considered alternative zoning classifications, but a professional designation would limit the expansion of the childcare center due to restrictions on building footprints. The council's decision on this matter will not only affect the immediate area but also set a precedent for future zoning requests in the community.