The City of Josephine on Dec. 8 approved three rezoning requests from Old Town Josephine LP that change small parcels along East and West Cook Street from single‑family residential to C, general commercial (business other than retail).

The council opened public hearings on the cases (noted in the agenda as case numbers including Z25‑0002, Z25‑0003 and Z25‑0004), heard from the applicant’s representative, and then voted to adopt the map changes. Randy Potts of Harvest Real Estate Companies, representing the applicant, told the council the requested reclassifications align the parcels with the city’s comprehensive plan and correct a prior mapping omission: “We just like to have it all zoned under this commercial zoning in one piece,” he said.

Why it matters: The rezonings cover a combined area of roughly 1.8, 2.496 and 0.438 acres for the three parcels at 101/103/107 East Cook, 913 West Cook, and 603 West Cook respectively. City staff told the council the changes will remedy a map error and bring the official zoning map into consistency with the land‑use plan. Neighbors raised concerns about possible commercial uses — notably a resident who cautioned the council about allowing car washes or other uses that could undermine a small‑town downtown character — but staff explained the category is ‘general commercial, other than retail,’ and said future use controls remain part of subsequent permitting and UDC processes.

What council decided: After receiving staff reports and applicant presentations, council members moved, seconded and approved each rezoning by voice vote. Staff confirmed notices were published and that no letters of formal opposition had been received for the hearings.

Details and next steps: Staff said the planning commission recommended the actions unanimously and that, where necessary, staff will follow up with additional UDC (Unified Development Code) amendments to limit certain uses downtown. Residents were told the council intends to manage compatibility through zoning designations, planned developments where appropriate, and future permitting steps.

The council took these votes in the Dec. 8 meeting and closed the hearings the same evening.