Today, the 11-acre piece of ground off Legends Drive is a vacant lot surrounded by houses and duplexes. But in 1989, the late Lawrence developer Bob Billings envisioned it as the centerpiece of a major corporate development.

“There are a number of restrictions on it,” said Bryan Dyer, long-range planner with the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Department. “It’s limited specifically to a hotel or motel.”

The hotel, which never came, was to service the corporate headquarters Billings thought would locate in west Lawrence. It would have been bordered on three sides by office buildings and by a golf course on the fourth.

Times have changed.

“We just think it’s inappropriate to have that sort of use,” said Alan Cowles, president of the West Lawrence Neighborhood Assn.

In the last 14 years, most of the land on the edge of Oread West Research Park has been rezoned to light industrial, office or residential use. Dozens of single-family homes now border the residence.

“We want some sort of assurance that it won’t become a hotel,” Cowles said.

The Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Department agrees with the neighborhood. In a report provided to city commissioners before tonight’s meeting, city planners say the current zoning is no longer compatible with the city’s comprehensive plan, Horizon 2020.

“The zoning is very old and was created when there was a different plan,” Dyer said.

Commissioners will have the option of initiating rezoning procedures tonight. If approved, the land would likely be zoned light industrial or residential.

“It will give the City Commission, the Planning Commission and planning staff the opportunity to find a more appropriate zoning,” Dyer said.

The West Lawrence Neighborhood Assn. is familiar with rezoning procedures. City commissioners revised zoning at the corner of Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive at the group’s urging earlier this year. The decision led to four ongoing lawsuits against the city. But the association’s latest request probably won’t put the city back in the courtroom.

Assistant City Manager Dave Corliss declined to address the Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive situation directly, due to the ongoing litigation. But he did comment on the new proposal before the City Commission.

“I don’t know that rezoning this property is a completely unique situation in the city,” Corliss said. “But we believe in a planning process that will result in what is best for the community.”

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Alvamar Professional Building Partners owns the property. Officials with the company could not be reached for comment.

The City Commission meets at 6:45 p.m. today at City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.