NORWICH – Eleven months after an initial request for a zoning change was made by George Blood, owner of Tansey’s Auto Supply on Birdsall Street, the Common Council moved to receive an ordinance proposal last week that would affect the business and the few residences surrounding it.

Blood requested the zone change in January in hopes of adding two auto repair bays on the store’s property; however, he was met by opposition from some of the surrounding residents who petitioned against the change and rejected Blood’s proposal of an auto repair shop, claiming the possibility of increased taxes for the area, traffic, noise and the limited space for all of it. The zoning change would transpose six properties between East Main and Griffin Street – including Tansey’s Automotive Supply shop – from a residential (R3) to a commercial (B1) area.

A public hearing regarding the proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Jan. 17.

“If you look at zoning maps, the entire surrounding area is designated for businesses, except for that one little spot,” said City Mayor Joseph Maiurano. “We care about the people that live there ... I can see where some people would have concerns and we’re trying to make it as less intrusive as possible,” he said, “but a zoning change would give more flexibility in an area that has been about business from day one.”