Colton City Council took a major step forward in improving the southern portion of the city by approving a plan to rezone certain areas to help accommodate both the residents and businesses to welcome new growth in commerce. At the meeting on Nov. 21, this action took place, and it was revealed through a city staff report that a mail survey was sent out to the residents in South Colton and they responded strongly in support for the new changes in the city’s General Land Use Plan affecting that area. Some of the properties affected by the rezoning change were those on the South Seventh Street and West K near the El Sombrero dance hall. A good majority of the properties over the last few decades have been vacant or converted to residential units. There was one portion of the area in the eastern section of South K Street near 9th that was excluded from the approval process because of a property owner’s appeal to the Planning Commission about a denial of a conditional use permit. The property owners were Kevin and Lynn Fini who were denied their proposal to construct a 750 square foot office building with a 600 square foot repair shop, and 2,041 square foot truck bay at 190 E. K Street. The owners had explained to the Council back in October that their project was consistent with the light-industrial development zone regulations of that area. When it was brought up, Council member Dr. Luis Gonzalez, who represents the K street area, was in agreement that more consideration is needed of the East K Street properties. As reported in the Colton Courier, Gonzalez said, “Many people couldn’t do anything with the properties on 7th and West K Streets, but now they will be able to lease them out to small businesses. I’m very pleased with it.”