By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Jesus Carbajal spoke at a Great Bend Planning Commission meeting in June to rezone real estate at 1013 Hubbard Street form R-3 (multi-family) to C-2 (general commercial). Carbajal wants to build a shop on the property that would store equipment and material inside.
The Planning Commission approved the request, and Monday night the Great Bend City Council approved the rezoning with a 4-2 vote. Councilmember Jolene Biggs was one of the two votes against the rezoning.
"I personally have a problem with spot changing out these properties from residential to commercial," said Biggs. "I think we're opening ourselves up for a lot of other people wanting to do that. I don't think that's a good idea."
The Hubbard property is just north of 10th Street. Councilman Alan Moeder countered Biggs saying there is commercial zoning to the south of the property and all along 10th Street.
"It's right next door to commercial," said Moeder. "I don't think there's a problem having more commercial right there. It isn't like it's affecting anybody...that whole block is for sale. We don't know what's going in there. Whatever goes in there is going to be commercial. So why does right next door matter?"
The rezoning will also allow the property to be cleaned up from the equipment and material storage that is currently on the lot.