The Ripon City Council approved a rezone of a business office complex on the West Main Street corridor on Tuesday.

Elected leaders voted 3-1 to go ahead with the properties at 1408 and 1444 W. Main streets to go from Professional Office to Community Commercial, as recommended by the Ripon Planning Commission.

Councilman Mike Restuccia opposed the ordinance rezoning for various reasons including the possibility of parking problems.

“Why fix it – I don’t think it’s broken,” he said of the ordinance change.

Councilman Dean Uecker was excused. His Farmers Insurance is located in this very business office complex.

The rezone came at the request of Kamaljit S. Brar, who is looking to accommodate a small animal hospital in a portion of 1444 W. Main St.

The zoning change, according to Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, is to preserve flexibility for continued professional and office uses while expanding opportunities for small-scale service, retail, and community-serving businesses that’s consistent with the City of Ripon’s General Plan and corridor revitalization goals.

Currently, the Professional Office zoning district allows for medical, dental, and administrative offices while excluding veterinary hospitals due to operational intensity and potential compatibility concerns.

Zuidervaart noted that Community Commercial, by contrast, would allow for a broader range of land uses including the request of a small veterinary facility, while still allowing for professional services, retail establishments, and even restaurants.

He added that the Council-approved rezone is in agreement with the City’s long-term vision of creating and enhancing service and retail business opportunities along the West Main Street corridor.