Planning commission backs Herzog rezoning at 5301 Mitchell, forwards to council

The Saint Joseph Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning 5301 Mitchell from R‑1A (single‑family residential) to M‑1 (light manufacturing) to the mayor and city council, citing staff findings that the request matches nearby light‑industrial uses.

Staff planner Nathaniel presented the request and recommended forwarding the change to council. "The request is for rezoning to M1 Light Industrial, which would match their property to the east," Nathaniel said, explaining the property is undeveloped and the frontage on Riverside has already been rezoned in recent years.

Kenny Neuville, who identified himself as working with Herzog Fannet Companies, told commissioners the proposed building would be "an auxiliary building that will have an office for the restroom, but mainly for storage of lawn and those kind of equipment." He said the site would not store the large Herzog machines and would access the site from Mitchell; staff confirmed there would be no inter‑parcel road connecting Herzog’s sites.

Commissioners asked about access and equipment; Neuville replied the new building would be set well back from Mitchell and would not house heavy equipment. After a brief public comment period with no speakers opposed, a motion to recommend the rezoning passed on a roll‑call vote. Commissioners voting yes included Tim Doyle, Christie Green, Tom Richmond, Penny Poor, Pat Lilly and Brett Hausman.

The commission’s recommendation sends the rezoning to the mayor and city council, which will consider final approval at a future meeting.