Old West Lawrence got a planning commission thumbs-up Thursday to rezone much of its neighborhood to preclude the construction of new duplexes.

The neighborhood has sought the rezoning, saying a number of historic homes are threatened with destruction to make way for duplexes that will make a bigger profit for their owners.

“We as residents of a historic neighborhood wish to preserve that heritage and halt the loss of that housing stock,” said Jordan Lerner, president of the Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods. “We just don’t want to see any more old homes torn down.”

Roughly 40 neighborhood residents showed up to support the rezoning, but not everybody agreed. Lawrence resident Bruce Livingston said he ought to be able to tear down his Old West Lawrence house and build a duplex.

“I think if these people don’t want this zoning for their properties, they can rezone it,” he said. “But if somebody purchased it with the purpose of using this zoning, they ought to be able to.”

But planning commissioners disagreed, giving unanimous approval for rezoning.

“Frankly, (Livingston’s) comments made the argument for me as to why it ought to be changed,” Planning Commissioner Andy Ramirez said.

The rezoning would apply in an area bound by Illinois and Michigan streets on the east and west, and Sixth and Ninth streets on the north and south.

The recommendation now goes to the Lawrence City Commission.