Area Plan Commission approves rezoning of Van Buren parcel from General Business to R-3

The Grant County Area Plan Commission on Aug. 4 approved Docket 011-25, a request to rezone a parcel in Van Buren from General Business to Residential R-3. The applicant, Tyrone Saunders, told the commission he intends to maintain the residence and discontinue the business.

The change affects a parcel the presenter described as containing a single-family home and a closed commercial building. Planning staff explained the parcel's current General Business zoning reflected its prior use as a commercial building; R-3 zoning exists less than a block to the east, and the site is adjacent to residential uses while being surrounded by several business parcels and industrial zoning across the street.

"I like to change that, to residential, to keep it going in good standards for my wife," applicant Tyrone Saunders said, describing that he had rehabilitated the property after it had been neglected. Saunders said he bought the property and adjacent land and that the residence is his mother's home.

Executive director Todd Glancy told commissioners the applicant is permitted to live on the property under the current General Business zoning but that, based on Saunders' stated plans, converting to R-3 appears consistent with surrounding residential uses. "He is perfectly in his rights to live on that property and keep it up as zoned as General Business," Glancy said, adding that staff saw no demonstrated advantage to keeping the commercial designation given Saunders' intent.

Commission discussion included questions about long-term implications if the parcel were rezoned, such as whether a future owner could reestablish a business and whether taxes or mortgage terms would differ under residential classification. Glancy noted commissioners would need to approve a finding of facts; he asked members to return the signed finding-of-facts paperwork to staff, preferably by the end of the night.

A motion to approve the rezoning (motion moved by Commissioner Jerry Caudle and seconded by Commissioner Dana Richmond) passed on a roll-call vote with all responding members voting yes. Commissioners were told there had been no public opposition submitted and no written objections were on file.

The commission approved the change with the requirement that the signed finding of facts be returned to staff for the record.