BREWER — The city council Tuesday night gave the second and final reading of an act to change the zoning designation of the former Footman’s Dairy property on State Street from a high density residential zone to a commercial business zone.

The council held a joint public hearing on this proposal with the planning board on Aug. 9. At that time, Francine and Benjamin Grant, owners of the property, explained the difficulty they had had during the past 10 years in trying to sell the property.

Now, with the contract zone change, the Grants will begin investing up to $400,000 in the property to convert it into a commercial complex that could include museums and art galleries, indoor recreational facilities, retail stores, restaurants and coffee shops, business offices, banks, private nurseries, professional offices, theaters, barber shops, beauty parlors, warehouses not to exceed 5,000 square feet, and light manufacturing facilities not to exceed 3,000 feet.

Approval was also given to a subdivision plan for the East-West Industrial Park reserve area. Instead of waiting for a major developer to approach them about the site, members of the Brewer Economic Development Corp. bought back a lot previously sold to Bion Foster. Foster had planned to develop the property but his plans never came to fruition. The BEDC plans to split that lot into 13 smaller lots and do the road and utility work needed to develop the property in hopes of attracting small businesses.

Councilors also gave their approval to amendments and changes to the zoning ordinance on matters related to shoreland zoning and matters related to the code enforcement assistant’s position.

The council formally accepted, with regret, the resignation of fellow councilor Alan Whittemore. Whittemore has accepted a position with the state’s new math and science magnet school that will be located at the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone.

Councilors also authorized City Manager Harold Parks to enter into a joint agreement with the town of Orrington and a contract with Ronald Harriman Associates for the preparation of a Community Development Block Grant application. The purpose of the agreement is to acquire funds for the replacement of sewers in Roosevelt and Garfield streets in Brewer, and the placement and installation of sewers in McKinley, Harrison and Cleveland streets in Orrington.

In his recommendation to the council, Parks said, “Through the use of a higher priority joint CDBG application, Brewer and Orrington may well be able to obtain funding for a major portion of the cost of replacing the obsolete and inadequte sewers in this area. The major advantage of a new system would be to eliminate all of the ground water that seeps into our system which must be treated.”

In other business the council:

Approved a change in the Fire Prevention Ordinance pertaining to blasting and explosives to bring the ordinance into compliance with state regulations.

Authorized the construction of basketball courts on Parkway South across from the track, for $34,775. A portion of the cost, $16,000, will come from a federal-state grant, $11,320 will come from the fund raising efforts of the Friends of Brewer Basketball, and the remaining $7,455 will come from city’s surplus. Friends of Brewer Basketball intend to attempt to raise more money for the project.

Approved a contract for winter snowplowing of rural roads with D & H Construction of Orrington for $17,640.

Approved the sale of surplus public works equipment.

Authorized a contract with Robert Wardwell of $73,303, to construct a 1,200 foot section of access road at the town landfill site. Five municipalities are using Brewer’s demolition debris site and the access road is needed.

Approved a recommended ballot for Maine Municipal Association officers.

Authorized the city treasurer to execute on behalf of the city, a $1 million loan agreement with the Maine Municipal Bank to assist in the creation of a capital improvement program.

Authorized a contract for winter sand with Leon A. Rancourt Construction for 3,000 cubic yards of sand at $4.35 per yard.