Council approves first reading to rezone 634 Fremont for proposed 216‑unit apartments; second reading set for Aug. 11

The Lebanon City Council on July 28 approved on first reading a rezoning request to change two lots at 634 Fremont Road from RS‑1 residential to RS‑2 residential, a step the developer says is needed to build an apartment complex that would include seven buildings and 216 units.

The rezoning request was explained to the council by Mark Scott, planning and zoning manager, who described the existing lots and the requested change in zoning to allow multifamily development at that location. The council approved the first reading and scheduled a second reading and docket placement for Aug. 11.

Why it matters: Rezoning from RS‑1, where multifamily is not allowed, to RS‑2 is required for an apartment development and changes permitted land uses for the site. Neighbors expressed concern about traffic, parking and trail access; developer representatives described mitigation planned for adjacent properties.

Resident Glenn, who said he lives “at 538 Fremont Road,” told the council the project “is gonna affect me a little bit” and said he wanted to be “a little proactive.” He asked about scale and timing; when asked the number of units, Glenn confirmed what staff and the developer described as 216. Later he added, “I'm not wanting to stop anything. I'm just trying to understand.”

Stephanie Reusch, identifying herself as “with OWN, but representing Bridal Properties,” said the proposed apartments will occupy “pretty much the front half of that lot,” that the development will include seven buildings and “216 units, gonna be 3 stories high,” and that the developer will install a six‑foot privacy fence along Glenn’s property line. Reusch said the developer expects to seek final plat approval and construction drawings before work begins and estimated, “Next couple of months, probably,” as a rough timeline for a start, contingent on those approvals.

City planning staff and the developer told the council the project will include internal sidewalks and three connection points from the development to an existing trail that links to Harkey Park; Reusch said the fence will be placed to reduce foot traffic from the trail onto the neighboring property. She said only the north half of the lot is being developed now and that the fence “stops where our development stops” and land beyond will remain open for future use.

Discussion vs. decision: This meeting produced a formal first‑reading approval of the rezoning ordinance; the council did not approve final plats or construction permits. The council’s action was procedural (first reading) and requires a second reading and final vote before the rezoning takes effect.

What happens next: Staff and the developer said final plat approval and construction drawings must follow; the rezoning will return for a second reading on Aug. 11. Construction timing remains contingent on final approvals.

Votes and procedure: The council recorded a roll call in favor of the first reading. The motion and seconds were noted during the meeting and a second reading was scheduled for Aug. 11.