E. Main Street lot rezoned

A vacant lot at 1306 E. Main Street on Monday was rezoned to C2 (commercial) after the Magnolia Planning Commission unanimously approved the move.

The lot was previously zoned as I2 (industrial). The lot is legally described as Block 1, Lot 2, of the Fred Stewart Subdivision. It is located between The Magnolia Inn and Carrington Realty.

Linda Anders, a local real estate agent who presented the rezoning proposition to the board, said the I2 designation and its 60-foot perimeter setbacks are hindering the potential development of the 100-foot by 150-foot property.

“We can’t do anything with it due to the setbacks,” she said. “At least we can [try] to do something with a lot on E. Main and market it — because right now it’s really not even marketable.”

In preparation for the rezoning request, Anders sent letters to three surrounding landowners informing them of the potential change. She said she heard back from one with no problems and Planning Commissioner Leslie Kent said he spoke with a neighboring business owner and that “no objection” occurred. The third letter had no response, according to Anders.

Linda Anders (left) presents a rezoning request at 1306 E. Main Street to Magnolia Planning Commissioners (second from left to right) Leslie Kent, T.G. Connelly, and Natasha Coleman. Not pictured are Planning Commission Chairman Joe Pieratt, and Commissioners Mary Iverson and Calvin Daniel Jr.

Although the lot gained C2 approval by the Planning Commission, the move still needs to pass the Magnolia City Council before it is made official, according to City Inspector David Nelson.

The issue could be on the agenda as early as the Council’s next regular monthly meeting set for June 24.

The rezoning request approved Monday was the only item on the Planning Commission’s agenda.