With the planning board recommending approval at its meeting last week, a public hearing on the proposed rezoning of 1.95 acres of land goes to city council for its consideration at its February 5 meeting.

The land contains 17 parcels and is located off Highway 158 and Vine Street and includes parcels adjacent to Andrew Street and the former Piland Street right of way.

The owner, James S. Livermon, is seeking to have the property rezoned from R-6 Residential to B-4 Commercial District although he has no specific plans for development of the property.

Houses on the property were demolished, city Planner Joe Hatch said. The land was a portion of a completed Community Development Block Grant known as the Vine Street Revitalization Area.

Planning board Chairman Gregory Browning said he would like to see the area developed. “We need any kind of growth,” he said, adding, “I hope the type of businesses there won’t be a detriment to the community.”

The B-4 Commercial District, according to information contained in the planning board agenda, is designed to accommodate the widest range of commercial uses, while a B-3 would allow more neighborhood friendly businesses, Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky said.

“Something would be better than nothing,” Browning said. “It needs something.”

City council meets at 5:15 p.m. on February 5 in the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street.