Council continues rezoning hearing for 5th Street parcel after residents raise parking and privacy concerns

The Jervis City Council on Aug. 6 continued a public hearing on two concurrent applications that would change a vacant 0.5‑acre parcel on 5th Street from industrial to medium‑density residential. City planner Holly Byram presented a staff report recommending approval of the general‑plan map amendment and the zone change to R‑2, subject to standard conditions including developer payment for map revisions and a future site‑development review.

The applicant’s architect, Matt Johnson, said the site was previously residential and described a two‑story mix of one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom units. Several nearby homeowners opposed apartments during public testimony, saying they feared increased traffic, parking shortages, trash and loss of privacy. One resident told the council she and neighbors would accept single‑family homes but not apartments. Mayor Bridal Wagner closed public testimony at about 7:54 p.m. and council members debated whether the record and staff analysis provided enough detail to address neighbors’ concerns.

Council members discussed the Statewide Planning Goals and local development criteria the council must apply — including whether public facilities and parking can reasonably be provided for the site. After a series of motions — including an initial motion to deny that was later retracted — the council voted to continue the hearing. The council’s motion to continue the hearing to Sept. 3 at 7:00 p.m. passed on a roll call recorded as unanimous among those voting. No final decision on the map amendments or zone change was made; staff will return with any additional information requested by council before the continued hearing.