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Council approves first reading to rezone two Division Street parcels to central business; parking remains a concern
Summary
On first reading the council approved rezoning two Division Street parcels from general business to central business; councilmembers warned the zoning change alone does not permit proposed first‑floor apartments and said future planned‑unit review should address parking demands.
The Watertown Common Council approved on first reading an ordinance to rezone 100 and 104 East Division Street from general business to central business zoning.
The rezoning (Ordinance 25‑08) passed first reading after a motion by Alderman Blankie and a second; the council noted residents had raised parking concerns tied to conceptual development proposals for the parcels.
Alderman Lampe cautioned that rezoning does not automatically authorize recently proposed building plans and reminded the public the central business district designation does not permit first‑floor apartments. “Just because we would potentially rezone this does not mean that the builder cannot move forward to the plans as proposed,” Lampe said, urging rigorous attention to parking requirements at the planned‑unit overlay stage.
Alderman Blankie added the developer had voluntarily removed its earlier design from the Plan Commission agenda in response to public concerns, signaling openness to further neighborhood input.
The ordinance was moved forward on first reading; subsequent hearings and any planned‑unit overlay review will determine final uses, parking standards and site specifics.
