Aberdeen council approves event alcohol permits, zoning first readings and payroll

The City of Aberdeen City Council on Jan. 27 approved a slate of routine permits and first-reading zoning changes, including one-day alcohol permits for an NSU Foundation event and two Aberdeen Chamber events, a retail on- and off-sale wine and cider license for Aberdeen Store LLC (doing business as Market on the Plaza), first readings of an ordinance amending the city—s zoning-board procedures (ordinance 250101) and a rezoning ordinance (250103), and payment of city claims and payrolls.

The council first approved a one-day alcohol license for the NSU Foundation and Apex Events for the annual NSU Bourbon and Brews event scheduled for April 25. The council then approved two one-day licenses requested by the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce for events at Aspire on Feb. 6 and at NVC on May 8; those were voted on and passed on voice votes. The council granted a new retail on- and off-sale wine and cider license for Aberdeen Store LLC, doing business as Market on the Plaza. Mayor Schoneman registered an abstention on the Market on the Plaza vote; the motion otherwise carried.

Council members took a first reading and approved ordinance 250101, which staff said clarifies procedural language in chapter 60 of the Aberdeen City Code for the Board of Zoning Adjustment. Ken (staff member) described the change: "This ordinance is requested to amend chapter 60 of 60 of the Aberdeen City Code regarding the rules, procedure for the board of zoning adjustment. The amendment clarifies the necessary vote thresholds for variances and special exceptions reflecting state statute and our normal operation of the board. The ordinance also changes the board secretary from the finance officer to the more appropriate planning and zoning director." Ken added that the ordinance does not change current practice on thresholds: "Variances, require a super majority, and special exceptions require a simple majority vote." The Aberdeen Planning Commission recommended approval at its Jan. 21, 2025 meeting; staff recommended approval to council. The first reading passed on a recorded roll call.

The council also held a first reading on a rezoning petition for property at 4856 6th Avenue Southeast, immediately west of Butler Machinery. Ken said the petition would rezone the parcel so it matches adjacent property and to allow the existing off-premise sign to remain while leaving the remainder of the lot available for commercial or industrial development. The planning commission recommended approval and staff supported the petition; the first reading passed on roll call.

A separate first-reading rezoning (ordinance 250103) changed a series of municipal parcels on 18th Avenue NE from municipal zoning to R-2 residential after those parcels were sold to adjacent owners. A council member noted that administrative platting authority granted to the community development director last year sped the process and reduced costs, allowing the city to close those transactions by the end of 2024 and avoid prepaying property taxes.

The council approved payment of claims and payroll for the period that included Jan. 12–25; Mayor Schoneman abstained from the payment to Climate Control but voted in favor of the remaining claims and payroll. Motions to approve the agenda, minutes and the consent calendar also passed earlier in the meeting; Council member Ward registered an abstention on item 5(b) of the consent calendar.

None of the items approved at first reading were adopted at final reading during the meeting; the council approved only first readings for the ordinances noted and will need to take subsequent readings or administrative steps as required by municipal code before those zoning changes take effect.