Council approves rezone on Industrial Road to allow temporary storage of manufactured homes; debate over paving and screening

The Nampa City Council approved a zoning map amendment to rezone a 1.18‑acre parcel on West Industrial Road to Neighborhood Business (BC), allowing the site to be used for temporary storage of manufactured homes awaiting delivery to customers.

Applicant Christian Berg and co‑owner Calvin Berg told the council they already operate adjacent storage and want to use the parcel to stage finished manufactured homes rather than pay off‑site storage at manufacturer yards. They said units are typically stored for short periods while foundations, permits or delivery windows are completed.

Planning staff recommended approval consistent with the comprehensive plan designation for commercial use in the corridor and noted applicable design standards: a 20‑foot landscape buffer along Industrial Road, design‑review standards for screening fences (no chain‑link with slats), submittal of a landscape plan, and pavement / stormwater management requirements tied to change of use and site improvement permits.

Council discussion focused on compatibility and operational controls. Several councilmembers sought stronger, explicit conditions on screening between the storage yard and an adjacent hotel, dust and stormwater controls, and whether the area of the yard should be paved or could remain gravel. City staff explained the code allows a paved vehicle approach past the fence and screening in lieu of paving for the interior yard; staff also said any site‑improvement permit would require a drainage plan and demonstrate dust and sediment controls. Engineering suggested the front approach to the site be paved to city approach standards; full interior paving was not required if the site is screened and meets stormwater rules.

Council voted to approve the zoning amendment. During discussion councilmembers encouraged the applicant to install an attractive screening fence along the property line with the hotel; while the adopted motion did not add a mandatory fence condition, several councilmembers urged the applicant to provide screening and for staff to enforce landscaping, drainage and design‑review standards at site permitting.