New Philadelphia Council OKs zoning change to spur development
NEW PHILADELPHIA – A zoning change to stimulate economic development beyond the Blue Bell Drive area earned the full support of City Council Monday night.
Council unanimously agreed to rezone 153 parcels along West High Avenue and add them to the regional business district that includes Blue Bell Drive businesses like Walmart and Menards.
“It was something that the planning commission has championed to try to attract more business away from the Blue Bell and West High Avenue intersection, where everybody seems to want to go,” said Mayor Joel Day. “To be able to extend that zoning up to 5th Street will give more opportunities for business locations.”
“The way development is going, it’s already headed in this direction,” said City Code Administrator Josh Mathias. “We have multiple current property owners that are buying up several of the residential properties, tearing down houses and turning it into commercial. We’re just kind of laying the foundation to allow that to happen because there’s more interest in that.
Mathias says the zoning switch from neighborhood business to regional business allows for big box stores and other commercial entities that serve a wider population.
“Regional is built for bigger box stores, heavier traffic,” he said.