Applicant to seek rezone for office and possible storage units near Sioux in Brandon

A property owner in Brandon said they plan to apply for a rezone to allow an office with accessory storage — and possibly small storage/garage units — on two parcels near Sioux and Ironwood, planning staff said.

Planning staff told the applicant that "we don't currently allow storage units in general business," and that storage units are presently permitted only in light or heavy industrial zones, meaning the applicant’s first step would be a rezone application, staff said.

The applicant described a preference for buildings that match the neighborhood fabric rather than typical metal roll-up storage units, saying the goal is an office with attached garage/storage space and that any storage structures would be finished to match the office. The applicant also said their current lease expires in December and they wanted to start the rezoning process now.

Why it matters: a change allowing storage units in General Business (GB) would alter what uses are permitted along Sioux and nearby streets and could allow existing nonconforming storage uses to be rebuilt if rules are amended. Planning staff cautioned that rezoning raises spot-zone concerns and that public hearings and neighbor input are part of the process.

Details from the discussion: planning staff explained that a rezone application must include a fee, published notice and typically takes about a month from filing to the first public hearing. Staff said they prefer a platted legal description for the parcels rather than a meets-and-bounds description to avoid an "amorphous box." The applicant indicated they will talk with nearby property owners and neighbors before formally filing.

The participants named several nearby reference points during the meeting, including an existing storage facility west of the Casey's, a newer facility on Chestnut with internal-facing doors, and several commercial or garage-style buildings behind the post office and on nearby lots such as parcels called OdieCo. Planning staff noted that several older storage facilities likely predated changes to the GB permitted-use list and would not automatically be allowed to rebuild under current rules.

No rezoning decision was made at the meeting; the discussion was exploratory and procedural. The meeting ended with a formal motion to adjourn, which passed.

Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made and seconded; the chair called for the vote, the ayes carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.