Sheridan planning commission recommends rezoning nine Canfield, Coy and North Main properties to B‑2

The Sheridan City Planning Commission voted May 27 to recommend that City Council rezone nine parcels on Canfield Street, West Coy Street and North Main Street from the B‑1 Business District to the B‑2 Business District, forwarding Ordinance 2292 for a public hearing June 2 and subsequent readings June 16 (first/second) and a final reading July 7.

Planning Director Kelly Schroeder told commissioners the application covers nine properties owned by seven owners and that staff verified notarized petitions, warranty deeds and posted notice to 33 adjacent property owners. "They're all currently zoned B‑1 business and have requested to be rezoned to B‑2 business," Schroeder said, and staff recommended the change because the area already functions more like B‑2, with larger parcels, warehousing and equipment storage.

Schroeder summarized the difference between the two districts: the B‑1 district permits only the specific uses listed (she said it lists about 11 permitted uses), while the B‑2 district allows most uses except a short restricted list. She told the commission the properties were annexed in 1973 and that rezoning "would expand the allowable uses on those properties and better match the historic development pattern and existing uses of the area." Staff said signs were posted on the properties and a legal notice ran in the Sheridan Press.

Public commenters said the rezoning could affect nearby residences. An unnamed resident who identified herself as living at 129 West Coy Street said, "there are houses down there. There are school buses that run down there. There are kids down there," and asked whether heavy equipment might operate at night and whether homeowners would be required to pay for future road or utility upgrades. Schroeder replied that building‑permit review would trigger engineering review and that, if a developer’s proposed use required road upgrades, the developer — not adjacent homeowners — would generally be required to bring the road up to code. "If the answer is no, it's on that developer of that property to upgrade the road," she said.

Another nearby resident identified in the meeting as Mrs. Osborne said West Cooley (West Coy) is a historic subdivision street and that on‑site grading and hauling explain recent dirt on the road; she urged commissioners to visit the site. Property owner Stanley Legurski, who said his family has owned a parcel since 1960, said records show the route down to the bike path remains a city road and described the family’s work maintaining pavement at the site.

Commissioners also discussed whether some adjacent properties — notably the city wastewater treatment plant and a large Mullinax parcel — might be more appropriate for industrial (M‑1/M‑2) zoning. Commissioner Franklin said uses such as a wastewater treatment plant and heavy equipment storage read as industrial. Schroeder agreed the wastewater facility’s current R‑1 zoning reflects how government buildings are treated in the code but said the parcel could be a better fit in an M‑1 district: "I do think that that would be a parcel that would be more appropriate for, like you said, an M‑one District." She encouraged owners of heavy‑industrial parcels to apply separately for rezonings if they seek consistency with their operations.

After discussion, the commission moved to recommend approval. The motion to forward PL 25‑9 (Ordinance 2292) to City Council for public hearing and readings was made, seconded and passed; all commissioners present voted in favor. The recommendation now goes to City Council, which will hold a public hearing June 2 and the readings noted above.

The Planning Commission record shows staff received one phone call raising concerns about future uses of 130 West Coy Street; otherwise staff reported no written objections. The rezoning, if approved by council, would broaden allowed uses on the nine parcels but would not itself authorize any particular development; future building permits and engineering reviews would determine road, utility and hours‑of‑operation requirements for specific projects.

Votes at a glance: the Planning Commission recommended approval of PL 25‑9 (Ordinance 2292) by recorded voice vote; commissioners signified "aye" and the motion passed.