A vacant lot that’s long served as a parking area for semi trucks will soon become new housing.

Powell developer Shane Shoopman plans to build three new duplexes along East Third Street, intending to get construction underway in the coming months.

The one-level units will feature two bedrooms and two bathrooms and have around 1,000 square feet, Shoopman said. He plans to rent out the six units.

Shoopman acquired the nearly half-acre of land last year, purchasing it from the company that operates the nearby Pizza Hut. However, getting city approval for his project took some additional time and work because of the parcel’s zoning.

The land had been zoned business general — a business-friendly designation that encourages commercial uses and generally prohibits residences. Last summer, however, the city council agreed to change the zoning to mixed-use, which allows homes alongside more limited commercial uses.

The owners of three properties located just west of the subdivision also made the switch to mixed-use. All three of those neighboring lots already have homes, which were built before the city established the business general zoning. Those houses were “grandfathered in,” but the regulations prevented any new residential construction on the properties — stymieing one owner’s plans to demolish and replace one of the residences. Under the new mixed-use zoning, the owner can proceed.

As for Shoopman’s new subdivision, he initially hoped to fit four buildings on his 0.46-acre parcel.

However, there wasn’t quite enough room, as city ordinance generally requires at least 0.55 acres for four duplexes (6,000 square feet per two-family residence). The ordinances do include an “affordable small lot exception” that can allow some lots to be as small as 3,500 square feet, but Shoopman opted to just split the land into three parcels.

The zoning change and subdivision plans received no objections as they made their way through the city’s processes over the past year.

“It will be nice to see that area improved,” Councilman Steve Lensegrav said at a Feb. 20 meeting.

The vacant, dirt parcel has historically been used as a parking spot for truckers staying at the nearby Super 8 hotel, but they’ll now need to find another place.

Shoopman said he’ll have the duplexes completed by this fall.