Pioneer officials are urging residents who may have concerns about a change in the village’s zoning to attend an upcoming public hearing.
The change would allow for the construction of duplex units in areas of the village zoned R2 (residential).
“A public hearing will be at the next council meeting on the proposed zoning amendments,” Village Administrator Anthony Burnett said. “Notices went out to everybody (in those zones).”
The meeting will take place Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Pioneer Community Center.
Burnett said the changes were recommended by the zoning committee.
Mayor Ed Kidston said he had received questions on the proposed changes from residents and council members alike.
“We’re redefining a residential home as it could be up to a two family home,” Kidston said. “So you can now build, if this passes, you will now be able to build a two-party duplex in a residential zone, in the R2 zone.”
He added there are areas zoned R1 in the village and those would not permit such building. Kidston also said the R2 areas of the village are typically the “older” portions of town.
“What I call the ‘original town,’” Kidston said.
Village Solicitor Tom Thompson said the proposed legislation to change the zoning would add to the definition of permissible uses in the R2 zones.
“We’re not going to let you build a big triplex or a big apartment building or anything like that,” the mayor said. “But if you’re going to build a two family apartment, we’re going to allow that.
“If there’s any complaints or concerns, that’s why we have the open hearing before we do it,” Kidston added. “They’re welcome to come to the next council meeting and express their discontent, or their happiness, or their opinion.”
Kidston said everyone in the R2 zones should have received a letter of the change, as well as those across the street from an R2.
Councilman Dean Frisbee said he felt the legislation should include a clause that would allow a majority of residents on an R2 block to prevent a duplex from being built. Kidston said that likely would impede a developer from wanting to build at all, while Thompson said such a change would require the issue to go back to committee.
Thompson also pointed out that under current zoning code there are very few lots available from which to build a duplex.
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