The Gloucester County Planning Commission decided Thursday night to take to public hearing next month a proposal for county-sponsored rezoning of properties designated B-3 (Office Business).

The original staff recommendation was to reclassify approximately 80 parcels of land from B-3 to B-1 (Business), but planner Sean McNash said the current list of properties that might be reclassified is 122; none are north of Short Lane.

McNash said that reclassifying select parcels would be less restrictive regarding the uses permitted in B-3. All uses currently permitted in the B-3 Zoning District are also permitted by right or by special exception in B-1.

Removing the B-3 district was suggested by the Business Development Focus Group and supported by the Village Implementation Technical Advisory Committee, said Anne Ducey-Ortiz, director of planning and zoning.

One residential neighborhood along Route 17 at Hayes is in the target area for B-3, but planning staff members said they think that ...