Blaine council approves bank conditional use permit, holds first readings on rezoning and sign‑code amendment

The Blaine City Council on Oct. 6 approved a conditional use permit to build a 3,400‑square‑foot bank at 11866 Aberdeen Street and held first readings on two planning items: a rezoning and a sign‑code amendment related to Highway 65 improvements.

Elizabeth, a city planning staff member, told the council the bank site sits just north of Carol’s Restaurant with access from Aberdeen; the proposal meets Highway 65 overlay and commercial‑district design and landscaping requirements. She said the Planning Commission held a public hearing, received no public comment and recommended approval subject to five conditions included in the staff report. “The building design is consistent with the materials requirements for our commercial districts and with the Highway 65 overlay district standards,” Elizabeth said.

Council member Robertson moved to approve the conditional use permit; Council member Newland seconded the motion, and the council approved it.

On rezoning, staff presented a first reading of ordinance 25‑2588 to rezone part of 8634 Central Avenue from single‑family residential to community commercial. Elizabeth said the change is consistent with a prior comprehensive‑plan amendment and recommended final consideration on Oct. 20. The clerk read the ordinance title into the record for the first reading.

Staff also presented a first reading of ordinance 25‑2587, an amendment to section 34.02 of the sign ordinance to permit larger pylon signs along Highway 65 to accommodate planned grade changes. Staff recommended holding final consideration at the next meeting; the clerk read the ordinance title for the record.

The council did not take final action on the rezoning or the sign‑code change at this meeting; both items were set for future consideration according to the statutory first‑reading process.