The Waterloo City Council on Monday approved a request to rezone about 0.27 acres at 2625 Falls Avenue from C-2 commercial to a conditional C-2 zoning to allow an aquaculture shrimp farming wholesale business, city staff said.

Noel Anderson, community planning and development director, told the council the property is commercial and lies along a major corridor with housing nearby. Anderson said staff reviewed potential impacts and did not identify likely odor problems based on the application and ordinance language. The conditional zoning allows the city to investigate and take action if a use becomes "obnoxious" by smoke, smell or similar impacts.

Council members asked whether the city has code enforcement and inspection authority for a new business of this type. Anderson confirmed the use is not specifically enumerated in the zoning code, which is why the conditional zoning was used, and added that the city could investigate complaints and pursue remedies if warranted.

The council first received public hearing testimony and then moved the ordinance through the required readings, suspending the rules and voting to approve the zoning on second and third readings during the meeting. The roll-call vote recorded during the meeting recorded affirmative votes from councilmembers who participated.

The developer and applicant were present during the hearing; no appeals or conditions beyond the conditional zoning language were added during the meeting. Council members said they would monitor the operation and rely on standard enforcement tools if neighbors raise complaints.

The ordinance was adopted at the meeting and will be reflected on the official zoning map in section 10-4-4 of the zoning ordinance, as amended.