Nevada council approves first reading to rezone former Story County Medical Center for 60 apartments amid heated neighborhood debate

The Nevada City Council voted to approve on first reading Ordinance 1064, a rezoning measure to change 630 Sixth Street — the former Story County Medical Center north campus — from R‑3 to R‑4 so the property can be redeveloped as a 60‑unit apartment project called Nevada Flats.

The measure cleared its first of three readings after a public hearing that drew more than two hours of testimony from residents, local business owners and project supporters. Mayor Condon opened the hearing and dozens of neighbors spoke for and against the rezoning.

The dispute centers on two competing priorities: the city’s long‑running need for more housing and neighbors’ concerns about density, parking and changes to the character of an established single‑family neighborhood. Sarah Clawson, who lives four blocks away, urged the council to approve the rezoning, citing the city’s slow population growth and the chance to repurpose a large vacant building. “I’m asking you to support ordinance 1064 and rezone the property we’ve all known as the Old Story County Medical Center and…