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Planning staff brief council on conditional uses at 426 Veil and 940 Sims; auto‑repair tenant vacates
Summary
Planning director told council the Buds Buzzing site at 426 Veil Blvd. and a Marillac site at 940 Sims Ave. were granted conditional‑use recommendations with conditions; a noncompliant on‑site auto‑mechanic tenant was required to cease operations and has vacated, planning staff confirmed.
Planning Director Lauren Nelson told council on Oct. 9 that the planning commission recommended conditional‑use approval and variances for two industrial‑zoned properties and attached additional conditions to address code and community concerns.
At 426 Veil Boulevard (Buds Buzzing), the applicant sought conditional use for exterior storage of landscaping equipment, mulch and contractor supplies on an I‑2 (light industrial) parcel, plus two variances related to landscaping/screening and dumpster enclosure. Planning staff said the commission added three conditions: repair the fence facing Neal Boulevard, screen items visible from Neal Boulevard with landscaping or move them to the rear, and bring on‑site fuel tanks into compliance with the fire code on an agreed timeline. Lauren Nelson said the fire department inspector has been in contact with the property owner regarding necessary protection, secure fencing and separation distance from buildings.
At 940 Sims Avenue (former Pease Warehouse), the application included exterior storage and a request to recognize an on‑site auto‑mechanic use. Nelson said the planning commission required that the auto‑repair use cease immediately because the building did not meet building and fire code for that use. Planning staff later confirmed the tenant vacated and that initial landscaping and other conditions were underway.
Council discussed that the conditional‑use approvals reflect the tension between preexisting industrial site conditions and current code requirements. "Planning commission did approve this conditional use with the 2 variances," Nelson said, summarizing the commission’s recommendation and added conditions.
What happens next: property owners must meet the conditions set by planning and fire departments; staff will monitor compliance and follow up if code requirements are not met.
Clarifying details: the 426 Veil site is in an I‑2 light industrial district; fuel tanks were the primary compliance concern; 940 Sims was confirmed vacant and an auto‑repair use will not be permitted there until code compliance and certificates of occupancy are achieved.
