Marion council approves 102.67-acre annexation, vacates alley and adopts multiple zoning code changes

The Marion City Council on June 5 approved the voluntary annexation of 102.67 acres east of South 30th Street and south of Munier Road and approved a package of zoning and ordinance actions, including an alley vacation and multiple amendments to the Marion Code of Ordinances.

The council voted to adopt Resolution No. 32,416 approving the annexation of 102.67 acres owned by H G. Bajoranson Family Trust, Atlas LP Company, LLC, and Atlas Building Company, LLC. A council member noted for the record that “the north side of this annex a proposed annexation is the proposed site for the aquatic center that will be decided in a bond vote in November,” linking the annexation to a separate ballot measure the council plans to present to voters. Planning staff said the property is currently undesignated and that zoning will be determined in later steps.

Council also approved Resolution No. 32,417 to vacate the east–west alley between Ninth and Tenth Streets and between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. Planning staff described the alley as roughly 10 feet by 125 feet, largely unused by vehicles, and currently grassed in places. Staff said utilities exist beneath or adjacent to the alley and that the city will require a permanent 10‑foot utility easement to be retained across the vacated right‑of‑way. At the meeting staff noted that adjacent property owners on the north side have indicated they will purchase their 5‑foot shares; sale of the alleyway itself was deferred and a public hearing on the sale was set for June 19 (Resolution No. 32,418).

The council approved a slate of ordinance actions amending chapters of the Marion Code of Ordinances. Actions included: - Initial consideration of Ordinance No. 25‑19 to amend possession and use of fireworks to bring the city code into compliance with state law; council asked staff to conduct public outreach explaining the change. - Initial consideration of Ordinance No. 25‑20, updating provisions that include rules for sound amplifiers in parks, golf‑cart operation, snowplow for‑hire rules and private hauler licenses. - Final adoption of Ordinance No. 25‑05 amending Chapter 3‑24 on weed definitions and natural landscaping. - Final adoption of Ordinance No. 25‑14 rezoning property at 10004 North Tenth Street from undesignated to RR‑1 (rural residential). - Second readings/consideration and approvals of Ordinance Nos. 25‑15 (zoning definitions), 25‑16 (district uses and bulk regulations), 25‑17 (architectural design standards, parking/loading, landscaping and screening) and 25‑18 (specific use standards).

On Ordinance No. 25‑16 council and staff discussed the scope and next steps for a moratorium tied specifically to new gas stations. A staff member said the moratorium’s scope “is only for gas stations” and that a resolution extending the moratorium will be brought back at a subsequent meeting so the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff can present recommendations; staff estimated that additional work and a follow‑up council item would likely take one or two more meetings.

Planning staff summarized how the city handles alley vacations and sales, noting policy changes in the valuation method used when offering vacated alley land to adjacent owners. On the alley vacation, staff stated that letters were sent to utility companies and adjacent owners and that a permanent utility easement will be required across the alley.

All actions on the consent agenda, resolutions and ordinances on the June 5 agenda were approved by voice vote as recorded in the meeting; individual roll‑call tallies were not read into the public record.

Next steps and scheduling noted at the meeting included a June 19 public hearing on the sale of the vacated east–west alley and forthcoming council consideration of a resolution to extend the gas‑station moratorium while staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission complete recommended code changes.