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Council rezones 128 Parker Street to B‑1 after contentious hearing; opponents cite spot‑zoning and parking concerns
Summary
After a lengthy public hearing, the Lawrence City Council approved changing 128 Parker Street from R‑2 to B‑1, allowing the property owner to market the building for commercial use; opponents argued the change risks spot zoning and could strain parking and water infrastructure.
The Lawrence City Council approved an ordinance amendment to rezone 128 Parker Street (assessors map 101, lot 55) from Residential‑2 (R‑2) to Local Business (B‑1), clearing a policy barrier that proponents said was preventing continued commercial use of a building that had operated as a pharmacy for decades.
Attorney Dana Cohen, representing owners George and Leah Desmond, told the council the building had been used as a pharmacy for more than 61 years and said the proposed rezoning would allow the property to remain in commercial use: “We're not looking to change a residential building to a business building. This has always been a business building,” Cohen said.
Prospective buyer Don Gomez, who said he had a vendor case study and mentorship from an experienced laundromat…
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