The Fredericksburg City Council approved a two-part action Sept. 9 to change the land use and underlying zoning of three parcels at or near 514 Friendship Lane, clearing the way for C‑2 commercial uses on the properties.

Staff explained the request as a map amendment followed by a zoning change. The property has two existing land‑use designations — high‑density residential and commercial center — because of a corridor boundary. Cliff, assistant director of development services (referenced by first name only in the record), described the request as consolidating the parcels to a single commercial land use and rezoning underlying district classifications from C‑1/C‑1.5 neighborhood/medium commercial to C‑2 commercial to allow a broader list of uses by right, including general retail sales, hotel/motel uses, indoor entertainment, liquor sales and medical offices.

The nut graf: the Planning & Zoning Commission considered the application twice to satisfy public-notice requirements for the three parcels and recommended approval. Council then voted to approve both the land‑use map amendment and the zoning change.

The council opened and closed the required public hearing; no members of the public spoke in opposition at the hearing. A motion to approve the land‑use change (Z‑25‑14 a) passed on a voice vote; a subsequent motion to approve the underlying zoning change to C‑2 (Z‑25‑14 b) also passed on a voice vote with the motion recorded as carried.

The actions will permit a wider range of commercial and service uses by right on the three parcels. Staff noted the change brings the parcels into consistency with the city comprehensive plan and the adjoining commercial zoning pattern.