Albany County planning commission recommends Mitchell variance, denies Morris rezoning and backs industrial zoning for Pete Lean; adopts bylaw change for public

The Albany County Planning & Zoning Commission on Aug. 13 recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve a variance for a Mitchell property, voted to recommend denial of a zoning-district amendment sought by Keith and Renee Morris, and recommended approval of an industrial zoning amendment for Pete Lean & Sons. The commission also approved a procedural amendment to its rules of practice for public review.

The commission moved most consequential items by formal motions after staff presentations and public comment. In each contested case the commission recorded reasons on the record and asked staff to include findings and conclusions to accompany the recommendation sent to the Board of County Commissioners.

Mitchell variance: The commission voted to recommend approval of a variance (BAR‑01‑25) to allow subdivision of a parcel that staff said measures just under 10 acres. Staff told commissioners the parcel did not meet the standard lot-size threshold for a…