Yankton commissioners approve two rezoning requests for Lower Yankton and Walnut Street parcels

The Yankton City Commission on July 8 approved two rezoning ordinances that staff and the Planning Commission said would reduce land-use conflicts where industrial zoning meets residential areas.

Commissioners voted to adopt Ordinance 1081, which rezones Lots 1–4 and parts of Lots 5, 16 and 17 in Block 49 (Lower Yankton) from industrial to B3 (central business). The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all recorded votes in favor.

The commission then approved Ordinance 1082, rezoning Parcel D of the Poly Subdivision at 1780 Walnut Street from industrial to B2 (highway business). Commissioner (unnamed) asked for clarification before the vote; Dave Mingo, a city planning staff member, explained that staff prepared the petition after owners submitted the required signatures, that the Planning Commission recommended approval, and that either a B2 or R4 designation would provide a transition between heavier industrial activities and nearby multifamily residential zoning.

"From staff's perspective, a change to either B-two Highway business or R-four multifamily residential would be appropriate because it eliminates that hard line conflict point," Mingo said, and added that staff recommends approval because it follows basic planning principles.

Property owners listed in the agenda packet included Larry Olson, Michael Novak and Casey Marquand for the Block 49 parcel, and Larry and Margaret Hesse for the Walnut Street parcel. A commissioner noted that "there are some folks speaking out against it," but no public comments were recorded at the meeting. Both rezonings were approved by unanimous roll-call votes.

The ordinances were considered as second readings with public hearings; the commission took formal votes at the July 8 session to adopt the changes.