Area Rezoned in Hope of Luring Car Dealers

City officials have abandoned plans to encourage a business and office center on northern Manchester Boulevard, instead rezoning the area to lure in more automobile dealers.

When revising the city’s general zoning plan in 1994, officials had envisioned the northern stretch of Manchester as a bustling center for businesses.

“We were unsuccessful in getting those, but we did attract a number of small and large automobile businesses,� Community Development Director Rick Warsinski said.

Given the market forces, City Council members decided this week to make zoning changes allowing the expansion of Auto Row, which runs along the southern portion of Manchester.

One area of the district on the north side of Manchester that includes the Buena Park Commerce Plaza will remain a general commercial zone, according to the plans.