MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown City Council approved on second reading an ordinance reclassifying portions of property at 11 Hartman Road in the city’s Sixth Ward from R-1/R-1A and B-2 to wholly B-2 service business on March 19.

The measure, which City Council said had its first reading Feb. 4, 2025, passed 7-0. Councilors voted after a brief staff explanation and a short period for public comment during the public hearing on the ordinance.

Damien, Interim City Manager and Public Works Director, told the council the change would “prohibit development on the Mineral Avenue side … as there’s only one primary structure allowed within that,” and that the Planning Commission had unanimously recommended the reclassification. That recommendation was cited by council members before the vote.

Planning staff described the reclassification as an administrative way to resolve a split zoning designation that covered the parcel and to attach the B-2 designation consistently across the property. Councilors did not add amendments during the second reading.

The clerk took a roll-call vote after a motion to approve. The transcript records all seven members voting yes; the council announced the ordinance “passes 7-0.”

The ordinance amends Article 13-31 of the City of Morgantown Planning and Zoning Code; the text and exhibit were incorporated by reference during the reading. The city did not provide additional development plans for the parcel at the meeting.

Councilors and staff noted the change chiefly clarifies permitted uses by unifying the parcel’s zoning designation, and that the reclassification is intended to limit business development along the Mineral Avenue frontage while allowing service-business uses elsewhere on the parcel.

The council did not schedule further action on this item at the March 19 meeting.

Ending: The ordinance now awaits any required post-enactment administrative steps; no appeal or implementation timeline was announced at the meeting.