Joseph D. Updike will ask the Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission to approve a rezoning request on four parcels of land on South Main Street between Parrot and Adamson Streets from R-1 to R-3 to allow apartment construction. The commission will hear the request on Oct. 10.

According to Updike's application filed with the planning commission's Oct. 10 meeting agenda packet, the four parcels are roughly three-quarters of an acre of land along South Main Street. He said the number of apartment units will not be clear until a site development plan is created after the zoning change.

The agenda packet for the commission meeting reported that Updike said the rezoning would be a good fit for these parcels because it is a transitional property and will act as a buffer between commercial property to the north -- Peppys Pizza -- and to the west -- Blubaugh's Body and Frame -- and residential property to the east and south. Updike said, "The city has an affordable housing shortage and the apartments could attract new workers to the area." He added, "As it is on the south end of town it is close to the industrial park where most jobs are."

Updike, a New Gambier Road resident, mentioned in his application that was attached to the commission's meeting agenda packet that the property is vacant. The commission has no other meetings scheduled this year as of now. The city council next meets on Oct. 15.