The Hays City Commission voted 5‑0 to rezone the former Lincoln School property at 1906 Ash Street from Public and Institutional (PI) to Residential Multifamily (RM), clearing the way for developer Michael Graham to convert the school building to apartments and add additional multifamily units.

Jesse Rohrer, director of public works, outlined the application and the planning process: the planning commission had held a public hearing and unanimously recommended approval. Rohrer said the project is infill that will use existing city water, sewer and streets rather than requiring new public infrastructure.

The conceptual plan presented to the commission would convert the historic school building into about 26–28 one‑ and two‑bedroom apartments and add roughly seven duplex or fourplex units on the east portion of the property. Rohrer noted that RM zoning permits a range of uses; some uses require administrative criteria or Board of Zoning Appeals review before they could proceed, so the rezoning authorizes allowed uses under RM but does not bind the city to a specific final site plan.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about ownership and process. Rohrer confirmed the school sale was a private transaction by the school district and that the city had no role in that sale. Commissioners thanked developer Michael Graham for outreach to neighbors and for addressing parking and other concerns; one commissioner noted the project repurposes a vacant historic building and returns it to productive use without adding new public infrastructure.

The motion adopted ordinance 4080 approving the rezoning as legally described in the ordinance; the vote was 5‑0.