During a recent city council meeting, the council reviewed two significant conditional use permit (CUP) requests, one of which was ultimately denied while the other received a recommendation for approval.

The first request, presented by Ms. Menard, involved a proposed CBD retailer at 12924 Highway 92. The property, zoned for general commercial use, required a CUP and a variance to reduce the distance requirement from the nearest childcare center from 1,000 feet to 225 feet. The city’s regulations, adopted in 2022, merged CBD stores with tobacco specialty stores, necessitating a CUP for such establishments. Despite the applicant's plans to implement strict ID checks and consultations with customers, the Development Planning Commission (DPC) unanimously recommended denial of the request, citing a lack of unique circumstances or hardships that would justify the variance. The planning commission echoed this sentiment, leading to a council vote that denied the CUP and variance request with a 5-0 decision.

The second item on the agenda involved a CUP request for a four-unit single-family residential development at 211 Rote Mill Road, presented by Mr. Parks Huff. This project seeks to redevelop a nearly two-acre parcel in the downtown area, which typically requires a minimum of five acres for residential development. The applicant is requesting a CUP to deviate from this requirement, along with two variances related to housing types and alley access for garages. The planning commission and city staff recommended approval, noting that the design minimizes variances and aligns with future development plans for the area. The council is expected to consider this recommendation in the coming sessions.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the council's commitment to adhering to zoning regulations while balancing community interests and future development potential.