Council approves two zoning reclassifications and advances a text change to let small gyms operate in more commercial districts

The Freeport City Council approved multiple zoning matters tied to small fitness and wellness businesses and advanced a citywide zoning text amendment aimed at reducing the need for individual rezoning petitions.

On final passage the council approved the zoning reclassification for 2–6 East Stephenson Street — the planned Pilates and barre studio — and for 105–107 West Main Street — a martial-arts studio (dojo). Both reclassifications were recommended by the zoning board of appeals and the planning commission. Council also approved a variation allowing a 12-square-foot sign for a home-occupation dog-grooming business at 1625 South Locust Avenue.

Director Duckman told council staff recommended the actions and framed the items as business-friendly steps. “We’re trying to be business friendly,” Duckman said when members asked why staff sought suspensions to expedite final action on some of the items.

The council also advanced a text amendment — described in the agenda as an amendment to chapter 12‑52 concerning “physical culture centers” — so that small gyms, Pilates studios and similar “physical culture centers” may be permitted in B‑1 districts rather than requiring reclassification to B‑2 in every case. Duckman said the change is intended to prevent repeated zoning map amendments for small, low‑intensity fitness uses and to align land-use rules with how building and fire inspections already stamp occupancy.

Votes and procedure: Several items used suspension of the rules (non‑debatable procedural votes that require two‑thirds). The suspension motions for business-related zoning items passed unanimously (8–0) where recorded; final votes on individual rezoning items passed with recorded tallies: the ordinance to reclassify 2–6 East Stephenson passed 7–1; the 105–107 West Main reclassification passed 6–2; the home‑occupation sign variance passed 7–0. The text amendment was moved forward from first reading for later action.

What it means: If adopted as drafted, the text amendment would allow small studios and dojos to open in more of the city’s low‑intensity commercial corridors without an individual zoning map amendment — although those businesses still must pass building, fire and occupancy inspections. Council members asked staff about fairness and grandfathering: legal counsel advised that changes would not retroactively alter earlier decisions, so businesses that started under prior rules still had to finish the process that applied at their application time.

Ending: Staff and council members characterized the package as an effort to make Freeport more responsive to small business openings while preserving inspection and occupancy safeguards. The text amendment will return to council for a future vote after public notice and any required hearings.