Aldermen reject conditional‑use permit for 510 S. First St.; bill dies 0–6

The Board of Aldermen voted down Bill 5278, an ordinance to approve a conditional‑use permit for property at 510 South First Street, after aldermen cast unanimous opposition by roll call.

The ordinance was moved for approval by Alderman Cleave and seconded by Alderman Madrigal. The mayor asked the clerk to call the roll; the clerk recorded six nays and zero ayes. The mayor stated, “With a vote of 0 to 6, the nays have it and this bill will not become an ordinance.”

Background: The applicant had proposed to level the lot, asphalt it, install a six‑foot chain‑link fence with a 16‑foot gate to the alley and use the site for parking and storage, possibly as rental vehicle parking. Aldermen and staff noted the site is zoned C‑1 and that open storage is a prohibited use in that zoning without a discretionary approval.

City staff said the applicant was not present at the meeting and that no new information had been submitted since the permit was filed. One staff member clarified the parcel sits adjacent to city‑owned property and Liberty Park.

Quotes: “The indication that he gave on the application for the CUP, was to level the lot out, asphalt it, fence it with a 6 foot chain link fence with a 16 foot gate to open to the alley. And the intent is to use it for parking slash storage,” a city staff member explained when aldermen questioned intended use.

Ending: Because the motion to approve the conditional‑use permit failed on roll call, the ordinance did not pass and the application remains unresolved; no alternative approval or conditions were adopted at the April 15 meeting.