GAINESVILLE – Wimberly and Jackson Funeral Home’s plan to expand its Summit Street facility took a major step forward Tuesday evening.
The Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board voted unanimously to recommend for approval a rezoning request that would allow the privately held business to acquire the property next door, demolish the vacant house on the property built in 1940, and construct a 3200-square-feet chapel on that site, connecting it to the existing business location.
Final approval of the rezoning request will need to come from the Gainesville City Council when they meet May 7th.
Funeral Director and business owner Felicia Wimberly told the Planning Board, “We have been in business for over ten years and we service the community, but what we run into is not enough space and not enough parking.”
“With the expansion,” Wimberly continues, “we’re able to get more parking spaces, get the cars off the street and be able to service our community better.”
If approved, the new chapel will seat 160 people, approximately 80 more people than the room currently being used. The design plan indicates that the venture will also add 30 onsite parking spots.
Wimberly says that most of the funeral services they conduct are on the weekends.
Belinda Dickey of Gainesville spoke in favor of the rezoning request, saying, “I pass by there on my way here and there’s a lot of blighted buildings, and it will really enhance (the neighborhood.)…and it’s a great tie-in to the midtown revitalization that is happening.”
Gainesville City Council member George Wangemann attended the Planning and Appeals Board meeting and said later regarding Wimberly’s rezoning request and proposed expansion: “That’s going to be nice for Gainesville; it’s a major improvement in the service area. Every little bit helps.”
http://accesswdun.com/article/2019/4/784556/midtown-funeral-home-expansion-plans-gets-blessing-of-gainesville-planning-and-appeals-board