Valley Economic Empowerment Center Inc., an economic development coalition of businesses targeting Idaho Street in Farrell, requested Monday that council consider rezoning sections of Idaho to make it more attractive to businesses.

Todd Perkins, owner of the business services company Phitown, which wants to move to Farrell from Masury, said there are businesses in Farrell that want to move to Idaho, and entrepreneurs who want to start businesses there.

Perkins said the lack of a continuous business district along Idaho is hampering efforts. VEEC is asking that Idaho between Lee Avenue and Sharon-New Castle Road be made a commercial district.

Idaho passes through four zones along that stretch.

Lee to Darr Avenue is zoned light industrial.

Between Darr and Fruit Avenue, the north side of Idaho is zoned neighborhood opportunity, a district that mixes residential and business uses, while the south side is set aside for pedestrian-friendly business development.

From Fruit to Hamilton Avenue, Idaho is part of the neighborhood opportunity zone.

The street is again split between Hamilton and Emerson Avenue -- neighborhood opportunity to the south and single-family residential to the north.

Beyond Emerson eastward, the remaining Farrell portions of Idaho are zoned single-family residential.

Councilman Louis Falconi noted that Farrell has already targeted a section of Idaho in a redevelopment plan.

Using state and city funds, the city wants to buy properties it doesn't already own on the north side of Idaho between Spearman Avenue and Walnut Alley, and on the south side between Spearman and Fruit.

Buildings on those parcels would be demolished and the land would be replatted into seven parcels that could be bought for residential or commercial use.

Monday's presentation was the second that Perkins has made to council. In February, Perkins and Rickey Johnson Sr., owner of the Chef's Kitchen restaurant at 314 Idaho, outlined a dream of building an eight-story tower on Idaho, and a sign at Idaho and Broadway marking the entrance to the Idaho business district.

Falconi suggested Monday that future presentations be made to council privately, as council has afforded other potential developers.

The state Sunshine Law permits a public body to meet privately when the matter concerns the possible purchase or lease of property.

Perkins agreed to a private meeting at 6 p.m. April 22.