Madison County supervisors unanimously approved a rezoning request for a 7.42-acre parcel at 1895 U.S. Highway 169 so the applicant can operate an automotive restoration and metal powder-coating business.

Planner Sam Bates (staff) told the board the property owner, Sam Mace, requested that the parcel be reclassified from agricultural to commercial. The staff report cited the Madison County comprehensive plan's encouragement of commercial and industrial development along major highways and said the Iowa Department of Transportation has verified the driveway entrance as a type C entrance. The planner noted the parcel is currently not used for agricultural production and that the zoning commission unanimously recommended approval at its Nov. 21 meeting.

There were no public objections recorded during the hearing; the board called for comment, heard none, and approved the redistricting by voice vote.

The rezoning allows Sam's Upholstery to expand a currently operating business to include metal powder-coating and automotive restoration at the site. Staff noted that if additional structures are constructed for the powder-coating operation, the county will apply the same methodology for calculating additional paved parking area.