Prather Avenue residents will have to welcome additional neighbors after failing to convince city council members to rule against allowing a duplex in their area.

During Monday night’s city council meeting, Prather Avenue residents spoke out against a proposed rezoning of a neighborhood property.

Council members were considering whether to approve rezoning property owned by Larry and Joan Apple, at 1122 N. Walnut Street.

The proposal included changing the property from R-2 single family residence zone to R-4 duplex, 3 and 4 zone.

Tate Walker of 503 Prather Avenue expressed his opposition to the change in the mostly residential area.

"It would open up the possibility for other properties to be rezoned," Walker said. "I think it could change the integrity of the neighborhood."

Mr. Apple's plan consists of a duplex with two three-bedroom units.

Rosemarie Dooley of 518 Prather Avenue opposed the rezoning for safety measures. Prather has drainage ditches on both sides of the street and parking only on one, she said.

"Even if those driveways exit on Walnut, there's still going to be increased parking on Prather," Dooley said.

City ordinance would require Apple to provide three off-street parking spaces for each of the units.

Planning and Zoning board members considered the zoning in June and were split on whether to approve it by a vote of 3-3.

A tie vote is categorized as a recommendation not to approve, said Greg Decker, director of public works. In response to concerns about the proposed measure opening the door to future development, Decker said city ordinance only allows contiguous properties to make applications for rezoning.

"If you rezone this, then the next property next to it would then become contiguous," Decker said.

For citizens used to living in a neighborhood predominately comprised of families, White said, the addition of college students is not always a welcome one.

"I'm just asking you to think about if you want to live across the street from eight college students," White said. "At two in the morning, I really would appreciate if there weren't 40 people there."

Apple, who owns two other rental properties at 525 and 531 Prather Ave., assured neighbors there would be no such issues.

"I'll give you my home phone number," he said. "You can call me when it happens because it doesn't, I don't put up with that."

Planning and zoning board members mailed 15 certified letters to owners of neighboring properties to gauge opposition. Only two written responses were returned.
City council members then unanimously approved the rezoning.

In other business, council members:

• Final Plat for Twin Meadows Estate approved unanimously.

• Lot Split of property at 981 South Saunders Street approved unanimously.

• Agreement with Mcladrey & Pullen to conduct an audit of the city approved unanimously.

• Adoption of Aviation Project consultant agreement with Olssn & Associates for design and bidding of the Ground Fuel System Projects approved unanimously.