The Hiawatha City Commission has turned down a zoning change for a former church.
Acting on the recommendation of the city planning commission, the city commission voted unanimously Monday evening to deny a zoning change for the old First Baptist Church located at 211 North 7th Street.
Owner Rochelle Smith was seeking to have the property rezoned from a residential to business district to allow the former church to be used as a place for events, parties and meetings.
Smith currently operates a daycare center at the location. The former church also serves as the residence for Smith and her husband, John.
In voting to recommend denial of the zoning change, the Planning Commission cited concerns of some neighbors about the possible future use of the property in the event of an ownership change. The Planning commission was also concerned about spot zoning since all the surrounding property is residential.
Mayor Crosby Gernon said he had heard from those both in support and opposition to the zoning change.
One neighbor, Charles Brunner, appeared before the commission to voice support for the zoning change.
Planning commission member Wes Howard suggested the city commission send the matter back to the planning commission for reconsideration to see if a solution could be worked out to ease concerns.
However, in the end the commission voted to deny the zoning change. City Administrator Lynne Ladner said Smith can appeal the decision to District Court.
The commission did approve another zoning change.
On the recommendation of the planning commission, the city commission voted unanimously to approve a zoning change for properties located at 711-715 Kickapoo Street, the former Hiawatha Greenhouse and residence of William and Betty French, from a business to residential district.