Washington’s City Council, during its meeting Monday, unanimously approved a rezoning request to change the zoning classification of 11.23 acres from office and institutional to B-2 (general business).

The request was made by Jason Briley, representing East Carolina Farms. The 11.23 acres is along U.S. Highway 17 at its intersection with New Hope Road. At its May 23 meeting, the city’s Planning Board voted 2-1 to recommend the City Council approve the application for changing the zoning classification. Voting to recommend approval were Jane Alligood and Marie Barber Freeman. D. Howell Miller voted against the motion. Dot Moate, the board’s vice chairwoman, could not vote because she was presiding over the meeting as chairman in the absence of John B. Tate III, the board’s chairman. Moate said she opposed the request. Moate said she could support rezoning less land, but not the entire 11.23 acres.

The 11.23 acres is at the edge of the city’s extra-territorial jurisdiction, an area outside the city limits but where city zoning, building an other related codes apply.

Briley said he has plans to build a utility equipment business — one that would sell items such as trailers for hauling — on the land. Other than Briley, no one addressed the request during the public hearing on the matter.

Briley also is the developer of Northgate subdivision, which is near the 11.23 acres. Briley told the council he believes the land along that section of U.S. 17 is better suited for commercial use instead of office and/or institutional uses that often provide a buffer between commercial and residential areas.