OTTUMWA — A new business cleared the first rezoning hurdle during the City Council meeting Tuesday.

The council unanimously approved the first reading of a rezoning ordinance that would change 1402 Albia Road from C-1 (retail district single family residential) to C-2 (commercial district). The second and third readings are set for Oct. 20 and Nov. 3.

Travis Reeves of Ottumwa wants to use the land for selling motorized vehicles, including children’s ATVs, scooters, mopeds and automobiles.

The .08-acre property is on the southwest corner of the intersection at Albia Road and Johnson Avenue. This parcel is 33 feet by 112 feet and has a long, single-story building with almost 1,300 square feet.

Reeves said he and his helpers talked to a lot of neighbors, going door to door along Silverwood Drive and Johnson Avenue.

In his application, Reeves included a petition with 42 signatures from residents “in favor of the rezoning request,” which was filed Sept. 16. Five of those who signed live within 200 feet of Reeves’ parcel.

Planning Technician Chad Carlson told the council he received no objections in the public hearing, but the property owner at 1404 Albia Road, the next lot west of the parcel, opposed the rezoning.

“[The owner at 1404] thinks the rezoning will increase their taxes,” Carlson told the council Tuesday.

After the council closed the hearing, Councilman Keith Caviness said he “saw no reason [the change] shouldn’t go forward.”

Councilman Gordon Aistrope said he hoped the property owner who worried about more taxes would realize the development will “increase the value of his property.”

On Wednesday, Carlson also said the rezoning “won’t affect anyone’s taxes.”

The Plan and Zoning Commission heard the rezoning request Sept. 14, and their deliberations resulted in a split vote.

Commissioners Chuck Manson, Joni Winston and Tom Mitchell expressed concern about potential traffic on the corner lot, spot zoning and the residential property south of the parcel.

Carlson said Commissioners Bob Thomas, Don Krieger and David Sels voted for Reeves’ request based on the high intensity of other retail uses in the area, and they said the lot size will “limit the amount of commercial activity that can occur on the property.”

Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.