The intersection of West New Castle Street and Hansen Avenue is one step closer to having three billboards.

Butler City Council voted 4-1 Thursday evening to pass a motion rezoning the property of 1014 to 1018 W. New Castle St. from Residential 2 to Commercial 2.

Mayor Tom Donaldson and council members Kathy Kline, Michael Walter and Corey Roche voted for the motion, while councilman Kenny Bonus voted against it.

Jerry Oliver of Oliver Outdoor Advertising presented a plan to council at Tuesday's forum meeting to install three billboards — one light-emitting diode billboard and two static ones — at the intersection.

Now that the motion has passed, Oliver will present a zoning variance request to the city zoning hearing board. If granted, Oliver Outdoor Advertising will be able to install the billboards.

Donaldson said he is in favor of the revenue the city would get from having another business property.

“This is a small investment but it's good, and I think the additional light in an intersection is always good,” he said.

Walter said he is undecided on whether billboards would be good for the property, but that he voted for the motion because it was only to rezone the property.

“When it comes to a billboard, I don't know yet,” he said. “I need to do further research on this.”

A 10- by 30-foot LED billboard would face Hansen Avenue. Two static billboards would be 12 by 24 feet. One would face drivers heading east on West New Castle Street, while another would face drivers heading west.

Bonus said he voted against the motion because the city's planning and zoning commission recommended by a 4-1 vote in May that the city deny the rezoning request.

“The zoning commission exists to provide recommendations like this, and they've done the vetting process,” he said. “At the point of coming to us, this is some of the best information that I have to make judgments on, (also) including Mr. Oliver's presentation.”

Roche said it was “appropriate” to have the city rezone the property to Commercial 2.

The property joins the houses and businesses across the street on either side of Hansen Avenue as Commercial 2 properties.