Plan Commission votes to recommend rezoning for North Hastings Way food‑court expansion

The City of Eau Claire Plan Commission voted 7–0 to recommend that the City Council approve rezoning of a 0.55‑acre vacant parcel on North Hastings Way from residential to commercial (C‑3) to enable a planned expansion of an existing food‑truck court.

Ryan Petrie, staff presenter, told the commission that the northern lot is currently zoned R‑1 or R‑2 and that the applicant plans a phase‑2 expansion to match the commercial zoning of the parcel to the south. Petrie said staff received no public comments during the notification period and that a detailed site plan would return to the commission at a later date.

Mark Erickson of Everyday Survey and Engineering spoke for the applicant and said owner Liz Lee intends to add two ADA‑compliant restrooms and a storage area, and to bring water and sewer service to the site so food trucks could stay for longer periods than the one‑day limit the health department typically allows. “When she acquired this land, the thought is that she's going to put up… two bathrooms ADA compliant with a little called storage area and potentially a future prep kitchen area,” Erickson said.

Commissioners asked about a cul‑de‑sac easement and restroom requirements; Petrie said the city will research easement ownership and that current health‑department practice allows temporary use with porta‑potties but longer stays require permanent facilities and utility connections. No members of the public spoke on the item during the public‑hearing period.

Commissioner Erickson moved to approve the staff recommendation; Commissioner Lawson seconded. The motion passed unanimously and will be forwarded to the City Council on the schedule in the packet (staff noted the council meeting date in the presentation). Final site‑plan review and any utility easement clarifications will be required before construction.