After approval from Fulton's planning and zoning department, two rezoning proposals are progressing through the City Council.
The Fulton City Council had a public hearing this week on rezoning a piece of property on the west side of Nichols Street, in the 700 block.
Owned by Court Street United Methodist Church, it is a stone structure that is more than 100 years old and has at least that much history as a commercial entity. It was formerly a stable, feed store, garage, the YMCA, and lastly, Curves.
"It's been a number of things over the years," said Les Hudson, representing the church, which wants to sell the property.
The Rev. Rebecca Dunger Peak said, the property at 711 and 715 Nichols St. has been vacant more than six months, so the zoning automatically changed from C-2 Commercial to R-3 Residential District. She said she thinks it would be easier to sell with a C-2 zoning designation - although a sales contract is not yet in the offer.
A sales contract is in the offer for a parcel in southern Fulton at Rice Road and Business 54. Officials at Zimmerman Properties want to purchase that 7 acres for a 48-unit apartment complex - but it needs to be rezoned from C-3 to C-2.
C-3 is an industrial designation typically used for larger planned developments. C-2 allows for more uses including the apartment complex.
Former City Council member Bev Gray said she is concerned about children walking along the busy road to school. She said the Fulton School District doesn't offer bus service to families living closer than 1 mile to a school.
However, the property is 2.1 miles from Bartley Elementary School.
The City Council passed this rezoning request, Bill No. 1510, to its third reading at the next council meeting.