The Ripon Planning Commission approved the rezone of two properties to be subdivided into four single family residential parcels for future homes.

The applicant, Manuel Alaniz, is looking to remodel the existing home – half would be demolished to meet the new setback – and his architect is working on plans for four single-story homes, between 2,300 to 2,600 square feet, on the rezoned properties.

The project sites are located at 225 Franklin Land and 820 N. Stockton Ave., said Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart at the Dec. 19 meeting.

The two properties were in area zoned for Urban Reserve.

“Urban Reserve zoning designations are placed on parcels planned to be residential properties located within the current city limit but had yet to officially develop. For development to occur (building of single-family homes) the property must be zoned correctly, hence, the request for rezoning,” said Zuidervaart in his report.

A concern at the public hearing, besides property lines and existing fencing from the neighbors, was rodent issues that might occur during the demolishing on the properties.

The applicant added that he is open to having a pest control company come out and evaluate the situation.

The Ripon City Council will look at the Planning Commission’s recommendation on rezoning classification.

Elected leaders could then look to adopt an ordinance to finalize the process to rezone the properties.

Zuidervaart earlier mentioned that the rezone to Single Family Residential classification is consistent with the City of Ripon’s General Plan on the land use designation for the properties.