Council approves rezoning at 344 9th Street to planned unit development

The Marion City Council on Feb. 5 approved final consideration of ordinance 26-01 to rezone property at 344 9th Street from traditional medium-density single-family residential to planned unit development (PUD).

Planning staff told the council the developer, represented in the meeting, is still finalizing budget and design details, including how historic brick structures on the site will be treated. "As they pull those numbers in we've asked them to break down each building," a planning staff member said, noting the council will review the preliminary site development plan and final plat in subsequent steps.

Council members stressed urgency to move the project forward to preserve the historic buildings and to prevent further structural degradation. Staff and the developer said they will return with building elevations, structural assessments and a final plat before construction begins. The ordinance passed on final consideration by voice vote.

Next steps: the developer will provide detailed site plans and building-elevation drawings for council review; council retains authority to approve or reject final site documents prior to development.