Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves rezoning to allow community orchard on city-owned site near Queen of Peace
Summary
The commission approved a rezoning request to change mostly-unzoned land, including a portion zoned community commercial, to public, allowing Parks & Recreation to develop a community orchard with donated trees and a multi-year planting plan.
The Dickinson City Commission on April 15 approved a rezoning request to change a mostly unzoned parcel north of Queen of Peace Catholic Church to public zoning, clearing the way for a community orchard proposed by Dickinson Parks and Recreation.
City-county planner Steve Josephson said the request came from the Parks and Recreation district and that both the Planning and Zoning Commission and city staff recommended approval. "The request you have before you is a request to rezone this piece of property. Most of it is unzoned," Josephson said. A public hearing on the matter was held as part of the reading.
Benjamin Ray, executive director of Dickinson Parks and Recreation, told commissioners the department plans to plant 1 3/4-inch to 3-inch caliper trees and hopes to see fruit within about three years. Ray said a local business owner has volunteered to donate all of the trees for the project, enabling much of the planting to proceed this year.
Commissioners closed the public hearing and approved the rezoning by unanimous vote. The action moves the site to public zoning so Parks and Recreation can proceed with orchard planting and future related work; Ray said the Parks Department plans additional orchard locations at later dates.
Speakers at the meeting urged use of the site and a phased planting plan. The rezoning was a first reading and carried the vote to proceed to the necessary ordinance step for rezoning.
The Planning and Zoning Commission and staff both recommended approval, and Josephson said staff was present to answer questions. The commission's motion passed with all voting commissioners recorded as voting "aye."
