OWENSVILLE — Owensville’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously on Monday to approve the rezoning of 312 Cherry Street from R-1 to R-1A. This decision opens discussions about possibly rezoning the entire Hambro subdivision.

Kenneth Figgemeier, the lot owner, wants to tear down the old building on the property, which is in bad shape according to City Engineer Travis Hernandez. Figgemeier plans to build a new single-family home.

“Those lots are small in width and do not currently meet the R-1 zoning district requirements,” Hernandez said. “So he’s asking for this lot to be rezoned from R-1 to R-1A, which allows for smaller lot widths and sizes.”

The R-1 zoning district needs an 80-foot minimum width for lots, but most lots in the Hambro subdivision are only 50 feet wide. The R-1A zoning classification allows for this smaller width.

Right now, if a house needs to be torn down, the owner must apply for rezoning.

“At some point, it might be in the city’s best interest to rezone the whole area as R-1A,” Hernandez suggested. “This would make it easier for people to rebuild houses without needing more action from this board.”

The board agreed to discuss this idea at a future meeting since Hernandez was not feeling well.