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After considerable discussion Monday and at its last council meeting, the Valparaiso City Council unanimously approved a rezoning of the 1.25-acre parcel upon which the Banta Center sits from public space (PS) to urban residential (UR).

The change would allow plans to move forward for Matt and Wayne Welter to purchase and repurpose the former school into high-end living units. The vote followed a 7-0 vote in November by the Valparaiso Plan Commission to recommend approval of the rezoning.

Nothing would happen with the building until the senior center, which is proposed to transfer to the Valparaiso Rec Project, had changed locations.

Several members of the audience spoke of their concern for the architectural significance of the structure na

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