Gunnison commission recommends limited light-manufacturing zoning along Highway 89, approves rezoning recommendation for 200 East with traffic and fencing stip


The Gunnison Planning and Zoning Commission on April 23 recommended a targeted zoning change to allow minor (light) manufacturing in the RC zone only between 200 East and 600 East along U.S. Highway 89 and limited to properties within 200 feet of the highway. The commission also recommended rezoning the parcel at 200 East and Highway 89 with multiple conditions intended to mitigate traffic, safety and compatibility concerns.

For the code amendment the commission moved to permit minor manufacturing in the RC zone only in the specified segment (200–600 East along Highway 89) and within 200 feet of the highway. The motion passed on a roll call that recorded Commissioner Steve Salter, Commissioner Jill (last name not specified in the transcript) and Commissioner Lee (last name not specified) as voting “Aye.”

Separately, on the rezoning for the property at 200 East and Highway 89 the commission recommended approval to the city council subject to conditions: completion of a traffic‑impact study to assess whether existing street designs can handle additional loads; compliance with the city’s multifamily and commercial development standards; extension of sidewalk, curb and gutter and other frontage improvements along Highway 89; execution of appropriate development agreements prior to council approval (including potential zoning reversion options if development does not occur in a timely manner); and installation of a barrier or fence and landscaping between the manufacturing and residential portions to improve safety and aesthetics. The motion to recommend rezoning and the conditions was seconded and passed; the roll-call record in the transcript notes Bill Seaman and Jill voting “Aye” and other commissioners recording affirmative votes.

Commissioners and staff discussed several implementation and design matters during the hearings: fire-code requirements for a second access/turnaround area for the manufacturing/commercial side; the Main Street overlay’s design/aesthetic standards along Highway 89 and how those overlay limits may not cover the whole parcel; the developer’s traffic study (staff noted an estimated 72 daily trips attributable to the proposed commercial uses, roughly equivalent to trips from nine or ten single-family homes); potential need for turn lanes or widening at the Highway 89/200 East intersection; and a proposed walking trail that will increase pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the area. Commissioners asked staff to emphasize a traffic study and consider barriers/landscaping between uses; the commission added those elements to its recommendation to council.

The commission’s recommendation to amend the RC zone and the rezoning recommendation are advisory to the city council; final zoning changes and development approvals require council action and any required development agreements and permits.