Land in downtown Edgerton is being rezoned for commercial development for the first time in over 100 years. It was zoned as single family residential.

The City approved rezoning 1.46 acres of 11 parcels of land and public alley right-of-way at the southeast corner of E. Nelson Street and E. 3rd Street for the future development of the Greenspace at their Thursday, March 9 meeting.

The Greenspace is a long-term city project for a community gathering space building scheduled to open this Summer.

Zach Moore, development services director, said the new rezoning designation to commercial will allow design guidelines more fitting for downtown development.

The application was reviewed with respect to the Edgerton Comprehensive Plan, the Edgerton Unified Development Code Zoning and Subdivision regulations and the laws of the State of Kansas, particularly the “Golden Criteria” as established by the Supreme Court of Kansas in 1978, he said.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 14 and voted to recommend approval of the application with no stipulations. No one spoke at the public hearing.

“This is a historic start to the Greenspace,” Don Roberts, mayor, said. “It is the first new brick building in downtown in approximately 125 years. It is a big step. Most cities wouldn’t take this step.”

Roberts said he appreciated the staff ’s extra work for the improvement of the city.

“It is a monumental vote that will be apart of Edgerton’s history for a long time,” he said. “It is a huge step in pushing the community forward.”

Roberts said the LPKC intermodal’s contributions to the city had helped Edgerton in their ability to serve the community.