Planning Commission recommends rezoning at 624 West 20 Second Ave to allow barn

The Planning Commission voted 4-0 to accept findings and recommend the City Council approve map amendment MA 25-05 to rezone 624 West 20 Second Avenue from small‑lot single‑family residential and agriculture (RSS/A) to agriculture (A), a change the applicant says is necessary to place an agricultural accessory structure on the lot.

Staff told the commission the rezoning is required because an agricultural building used as the only structure on a parcel is permitted only in the A zoning district. The staff presentation included an area map, a zoning map showing the site split between RSS and A, an aerial view and a future land‑use designation that shows the parcel as agriculture or low‑density residential on the comprehensive plan map. Staff recommended that the commission accept the findings and forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council.

Applicant Scott Larson, who said he lives at 621 West 20 Second Avenue across the street from the subject property, told the commission he has held and improved the parcel for several years and wants to add a building for storage. "I really don't wanna put it in the the flood zone area," Larson said, adding he would "feel much more comfortable putting in that area that's non flood flood zone." He described the intended use: "the building would just be used for storage for my tractor, for a couple collector cars I have." Larson also said he had no present plan to build a residence on that parcel.

Commissioners asked no substantive follow‑up questions in the public record. No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the hearing. After staff presented the required alternatives and findings, a commissioner moved to accept the findings and recommend council approval; the motion was seconded and passed 4-0.

The commission's action is a recommendation to the City Council; final approval and any conditions would be decided by the council. The staff record for the item cites the city's Land Development Code and the comprehensive plan's future land‑use map as the controlling policy references. The applicant said he intends to site the structure outside the identified 100‑year flood plain on the parcel. The Planning Commission noted the item concluded and moved to the next agenda item.