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The Washington City Council on Monday approved a request to rezone 1.15 acres at the northeast corner of 15th and Fifth streets from office and institutional to business commercial. The owner of the property is seeking to build a roughly 5,000-square-foot gas station and convenience store on the property, which is located across from the existing Sheetz facility.

Community and Cultural Services Director Mike Dail said the property currently includes two single-family residences that will be removed if a new development is built. The property was removed from the 500-year floodplain when the maps were updated in 2020.

The planning board unanimously recommended City Council’s approval of the rezoning request. Dail said the owner of duplexes located to the east of the property brought forth some concerns about the request during the planning board’s public hearing.

“He had some concerns with drainage issues and potential flooding,” Dail said, “and also the fact that I believe the development may require a turn lane to be developed in front of their property to enter into this property.”

Councilman Bobby Roberson asked Dail to further explain what would be allowed under the new zoning.

“If this was a general business district it would allow gas stations, retail uses, any type of office development,” Dail said. “Various business uses.”

Greg Schmitt, who made the rezoning request, said the new gas station will include eight fuel pumps and will be open 24 hours a day.

“Relating to drainage, there was some drainage concerns that were brought up, and much of it was located off premises,” Schmitt said. “Our only public drainage outfall is opposite where the drainage concerns were mentioned.