Linn County Board of Adjustment approves minor modification to contractor yard permit at 1206 Stony Point Road

The Linn County Board of Adjustment on April 30 approved a minor modification to a conditional use permit allowing a contractor’s yard and outdoor storage at 1206 Stony Point Road, expanding the phase 1 area to include a shop and outdoor material storage area and adding landscaping and screening requirements, planning staff told the board.

Planning and zoning manager Stephanie Wentz told the board that the property — rezoned to General Commercial and previously approved for the contractor’s-yard use in July — now shows an expanded phase 1 on the revised site plan and includes changes to fuel storage and septic locations, added lighting, and new landscaping. “Staff recommends granting the proposals subject to the conditions of the staff report,” Wentz said.

The county previously approved a five-foot reduction in the commercial buffer with the July case; the new plan retains screening requirements for the entire property. Wentz said fencing on the south and west property lines would include slats or an equivalent visual screen but cautioned that fencing may meet only 50% of the screening requirement, with native vegetation to be planted along the north and east boundaries. The vegetation must be installed within one year of the approval and maintained for the life of the operation, she said. Wentz also said the hard surfacing required for phase 1 must be completed prior to operation.

Wentz told the board the operation is intended to employ up to 10 full-time and 10 part-time workers, would have no customer visits to the site, and would generate only minimal vehicle trips related to employees. She noted a future mini-warehouse or self-storage use is allowed on the site under county rules but would require a separate approval and is not part of the current decision.

Susan Fornash of Holland Hall Engineers, representing the applicant Allen Custom Homes and listing an address of 1860 Boyson Road in Hiawatha, said she had no additional material to add and could answer questions. There were no public comments during the hearing.

After brief deliberation, Board member Berge moved to accept the staff-recommended findings of fact, conclusions of law, and decision and order to approve conditional use case P.C. 25-0005; Board member Harris seconded. The secretary called a roll; Alden, Hoover and Martin were recorded as voting yes. The motion was approved.

The board adjourned after no further business was raised.