Council recommends rezoning 4.14 acres for truss manufacturer, cites limited local impact

At a public hearing June 18, the Bannock County Planning and Development Council unanimously recommended that the Board of County Commissioners rezone approximately 4.14 acres from residential‑suburban to light industrial to accommodate a truss manufacturing operation.

Jeremy Manska of Westwood Construction told the council the proposed site already contains a 40‑by‑88 building that a local truss manufacturer wishes to occupy after being displaced by an expanding neighbor. Manska said the business employs four people on‑site daily and five additional off‑site workers; work hours are roughly 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. He told the council the operation is largely indoor and quieter than nearby gravel and industrial operations.

The applicant said the site’s existing approach would be upgraded to meet county standards and that deliveries are limited — about three outbound deliveries per week and incoming materials roughly monthly. Manska and staff emphasized that utility service and emergency services already serve the property and that no significant off‑site public costs are anticipated.

The record included written support from nearby residents, including letters from Les Staley and Tom Nielsen and a petition listing several adjacent property owners in favor of the rezoning. Council members found the proposed light‑industrial use compatible with surrounding properties and noted that the county’s future land‑use map already shows the area as suitable for industrial uses in several plan categories. The council’s recommendation to the commissioners passed by roll call 4‑0.

If the commissioners approve the rezoning, the property owner will proceed with a change‑of‑use permitting process, at which point site improvements (including the approach paving and any permitting) will be required before the business occupies the site.