Planning commission approves revised rezoning map for North Lancaster area

The Athens City Planning Commission on Oct. 1 approved a revised rezoning map for the North Lancaster neighborhood that shifts several parcels’ commercial and residential zone designations after a week of staff meetings with neighborhood representatives.

Commissioners adopted the modified map — proposed as case 25-06 — after staff presented a new October 1 map that retained the fire station in B2, converted most of the center hub between Columbus and Lancaster streets from B2 to B1, kept the Dairy Queen in B1, and changed a stretch along Columbia Avenue from R3 to R2. The motion to adopt the map with two specific parcel changes passed unanimously.

The approval followed multiple neighborhood meetings and written input. City planner Megan Jennings said staff met with “representatives from the majority of the neighborhoods in that area” and adjusted the proposed map to address concerns, noting that bulk…