Planning Commission recommends denial of rezoning at 700 Block South Sooner Road, forwards to City Council

The Guthrie Planning Commission on Dec. 11 considered PC Application 25‑013, a request to rezone a 4.063‑acre parcel on the 700 block of South Sooner Road from R‑1 (single‑family) to C‑2 (general commercial). Subdivision staff described the parcel as the southern portion of a 6.57‑acre tract; the applicant had filed a lot‑split for the northern portion and sought flexibility for future development on the southern portion.

Staff explained C‑2 allows a broad range of commercial uses — including heavier commercial activities such as auto body or machine shops — but noted residential uses are also permitted in C‑2. Staff also raised a practical constraint: the area lacks public sewer, so residential development is limited by DEQ septic requirements (staff referenced a half‑acre minimum for some septic approvals) and any commercial development must meet city drainage ordinances requiring on‑site retention/detention.

Several nearby residents urged denial. Tom Holtz of Lisa Lane said, “This is a residential area. ... You put a commercial development down there, you're gonna ruin that for me and for everybody else,” and cited existing traffic congestion near Waterloo and a recently permitted county concrete plant as neighborhood concerns. Tom Eschman said residents may enlist real‑estate counsel to enforce private covenants if zoning changes.

An applicant representative (the owner’s daughter, unnamed in the record) said the property historically carried commercial zoning for decades before a 2023 rezoning to R‑1 and that the owner (she said her mother is 91) sought flexibility for future options; she added she expects the parcel likely would remain residential even if returned to C‑2.

After public comment and discussion about private covenant enforcement (staff reiterated that covenants are enforced through civil remedies, not municipal zoning enforcement), a motion to deny the rezoning request was made and seconded. The recorded roll call on the motion to deny: Franklin Danley voted No, Zach Robbins voted Yes and Brent Linford voted Yes; the motion passed 2‑1. Staff reminded the public the Planning Commission is advisory and the item will be before the City Council on Jan. 20 for final action.

Next steps: the item will be placed on the City Council agenda for its second January meeting (Jan. 20). Council action, not the Planning Commission recommendation, will determine the final zoning outcome.