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Forest Park council approves rezoning for 4652 Jonesboro Road to correct long-standing commercial use
Summary
The City Council voted unanimously Nov. 17 to rezone 4652 Jonesboro Road from single-family residential to general commercial (RZ2025-03), saying the change corrects a mapping inconsistency for a parcel used commercially for decades; owner testimony said the request simply restores the property's historic use.
The Forest Park Mayor and Council on Nov. 17 approved RZ2025-03, changing the zoning of a roughly 0.26-acre parcel at 4652 Jonesboro Road from single-family residential to general commercial.
Staff said maps and on-the-ground use were inconsistent: although records listed the parcel as RS (residential), the site has historically housed an automotive repair business that shared lot access with an adjacent commercial parcel. Director Brown told the council the planning commission recommended approval and that any future redevelopment must comply with current site-design, access and buffering standards.
Property owner Butch Springer spoke during the public hearing, saying his family has operated an automotive business on the site for more than 40 years and that the rezoning would correct an apparent mapping error. No members of the public registered opposition during the hearing.
Councilwoman James moved to approve the rezoning; Councilwoman Gunn seconded. A roll-call vote recorded affirmative responses from Council members James, Gunn, Gutierrez, Akins Wells and Mears and the motion carried.
The council’s action will allow the parcel to be integrated with adjacent commercial uses and pursues consistency between zoning designations and historical use. Staff emphasized that any redevelopment will still be subject to applicable development regulations and permitting requirements.
The council took the vote after conducting a formal public hearing and closed the hearing before the final motion; the rezoning now advances as approved by the city. The council did not attach site-specific waivers or exceptions to the approval.
