Council adopts zoning amendment allowing multiple principal structures in Light Industrial district

The St. Joseph City Council voted to adopt a zoning text amendment that will allow more than one principal structure per lot in the Light Industrial district.

City planner/staff summarized three choices: allow the use outright for the Light Industrial district via an administrative route; allow it through a conditional-use-permit so the council could attach specific conditions; or deny the amendment and require applicants to combine structures or replat lots. As staff put it, the first option "would allow properties in the Light Industrial District only, to have more than 1 principal structure per lot." Councilors asked clarifying questions about which options were on the table after the May 20 meeting and discussed limiting the change to the Light Industrial district.

Several council members voiced support for Option 1. One councilor said they were "in favor of option 1," and the council moved to adopt Ordinance 2024-003 and its summary publication (2024-036). The clerk recorded the vote as the motion prevailing with a tally of 4 yes, 0 no and 1 abstention.

Staff said the amendment streamlines development in the Light Industrial district by treating multiple principal structures like other commercial or industrial new builds, which will proceed through site-plan review and building permits. If applied, the change will be limited to the Light Industrial district; staff noted a conditional-use route (Option 2) would permit the council to append conditions to individual projects.

The council's action modifies local zoning text; applicants who do not use the new text could still pursue alternatives such as replatting or combining structures. The council did not record additional amendments to the ordinance during the meeting. The ordinance will be published in summary form as recorded during the session.