City Council Denies Controversial Floral Haven Expansion Plan

In a recent city council meeting, the preliminary plat for Floral Haven, designated as PT 1609-2024, was discussed but ultimately recommended for denial by city staff. The proposal involves a single lot on 9.014 acres located north of West Kenosha Street, which currently does not meet the frontage requirements of the A-1 zoning district. The existing lot has approximately 75 feet of frontage on Kenosha Street and 50 feet on Queen Street, falling short of the required 330 feet.

The council has previously tabled discussions on this matter multiple times, with the latest review occurring on June 17. If approved, the preliminary plat would create a 21-acre remainder parcel, further complicating the nonconformity of the lot. Staff emphasized that the only way to make the lot conforming would be to consolidate it with an adjacent property currently in use as Floral Haven.

During the meeting, the applicant, Lou Reynolds, expressed frustration over procedural hurdles, noting that the city council had indicated they would not approve any waivers related to the specific use permit (SUP). Reynolds requested that the preliminary plat be approved subject to conditions imposed by the city council, aiming to expedite the process.

However, staff maintained that approving the plat as it stands would exacerbate the nonconforming status of the lot. They recommended that the council consider the lot consolidation alongside the ongoing rezoning and SUP applications to ensure a cohesive decision-making process.

After deliberation, the council voted unanimously to deny the preliminary plat, aligning with staff recommendations. This decision allows the applicant to continue pursuing the necessary lot consolidation and other approvals without further delay.

In a separate agenda item, the council also discussed a major amendment to the planned unit development (PUD) for Iron Buck Acres, which involves a proposed industrial development on 15 acres. Staff recommended approval of this amendment, contingent upon the property being platted, highlighting the importance of adhering to zoning requirements and ensuring appropriate screening for adjacent residential properties.