On Monday night, the Howe Planning & Zoning Commission voted in favor for a zoning change for a commercial property at 501 N. Collins Freeway, on US Highway 75, to multi-family to make way for a small apartment complex. However, tonight’s city council denied the zoning request and the property will remain commercial.
A petition of 14 local neighboring property owners opposing the change was submitted to Mayor Jeff Stanley and the council during the meeting. Bill Stambaugh, Micah Belden, Janice Akins, Rebecca Luna, and Gay Brennan spoke to oppose the zoning change. Only property owner Phillip Shaffer and the potential purchaser of the property, Gurishkumar Patel, spoke in favor for the zoning request.
Howe’s comprehensive plan, zoning plan and economic development plan stay on course with this decision.