Marion City Council approves future land-use map amendment for 344 9th Street; zoning ordinance introduced

Marion City — The Marion City Council on voice votes late in a special meeting approved a future land‑use map amendment for 344 9th Street and introduced an ordinance to rezone the parcel to permit a planned unit development with medium‑density residential use.

Planning staff told the council the request aligns a southern parcel with the Carriage Corners project approved concept from 2020 and would allow a multifamily building with features such as underground parking. Nicole, a city planning staffer, said the developer is driving the schedule and staff expects the planned‑unit development to return to the Planning and Zoning Commission for preliminary and final site‑plan review.

A contractor who identified himself as Nate said one of the historic brick buildings on the 4th and 9th site is structurally weak and likely will have to be removed rather than retrofitted; he said other buildings in the group are usable. Planning staff and project representatives described engineering and architectural work underway and said further details on parking, landscaping and design will be provided in later submissions.

Council discussed whether the rezoning would give the developer the immediate right to demolish the house on 4th and 9th. A planning representative said the demolition process is governed by separate permits and timelines and indicated demolition could proceed under existing processes, with or without the council action on the map amendment. The planning staff said the developer expects the review sequence to take roughly three months through required meetings.

Council moved and approved resolution number 32692 amending the Marion 2045 future land‑use map from low to medium intensity for the property at 344 9th Street by voice vote. Mayor then moved to introduce ordinance 26‑01 for initial consideration of the rezoning; council members voiced their support for introduction. No final ordinance adoption vote occurred at the meeting; further hearings and reviews were described as the next steps.

The council did not receive public testimony during the hearing and closed the public hearing before taking the votes. Staff said the overall project cost estimate being reviewed by the developer and consultants is in a multi‑million‑dollar range and that structural and preservation work will depend on cost‑benefit outcomes and engineering results.

The council action changes the comprehensive plan designation for the subject parcel and moves the zoning process forward; the rezoning and final development approvals will return to Planning and Zoning and the council in subsequent meetings.