Murray Planning Commission approves three CUPs, a subdivision amendment and forwards zoning text changes
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Summary
At its Jan. 15 meeting, the Murray City Planning Commission approved conditional use permits for an auto sales lot and a gym, granted a subdivision amendment at 5217 S. State St., elected Ned Hacker chair and Katie Rogers vice chair, and voted to forward miscellaneous land‑use text amendments to the City Council.
The Murray City Planning Commission met Jan. 15 and approved several land‑use items, elected its 2026 leadership and forwarded proposed text amendments to the City Council.
Chair Michael Richards called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the commission first approved minutes from Nov. 20 and Dec. 4, 2025. The panel then approved findings of fact for three previously considered conditional use permits (Evans Bank, Uber Auto Sales and an electronic message center referred to in the record as the “Blind Man” conditional use), with Commissioner Ned Hacker making the motion and Commissioner Aaron Hildreth seconding.
In election business, Ned Hacker accepted the nomination as chair and Katie Rogers accepted the nomination as vice chair. The commission ratified both nominations in a motion to elect the officers for 2026.
On substantive land‑use items, staff presented and the commission voted on three applications: • Auto Expo LLC (4314 South Commerce Drive): Planner Ruth Ruach said staff initially miscalculated required parking but that the applicant “does have plenty of parking” and staff recommended approval subject to seven conditions. Applicant Jalal Afnani confirmed he could comply with the conditions. Commissioner Hacker moved approval; Commissioner Rogers seconded. A roll‑call vote recorded unanimous yes votes.
• Hell’s Gate Gym (363 West 6160 South): Planner David Rogers described an expansion of roughly 3,200 square feet into three units, with nine parking stalls designated for the gym and access from 3rd West. Staff found parking adequate under engineering standards and recommended approval with six conditions. Applicant Michael Simkowiak told the commission he could meet the conditions. Commissioner Aaron Hildreth moved approval; a second was recorded and the motion passed unanimously.
• Point at 53rd subdivision amendment (5217 South State Street): Planner Zach Smallwood explained the request would vacate 16 office condo unit lines and reconsolidate them back into Lot 1B. Applicant Tina Franco of Helen Partners Inc. said no changes were being made and that the applicant could comply with the listed seven conditions. The commission granted subdivision amendment approval in a unanimous roll call.
Finally, staff presented a set of miscellaneous text amendments to the land use code intended to clean up conditional‑use provisions, landscaping requirements, public notice procedures, and reporting requirements (including proposed removal of annual reporting sections for certain residential facilities). Ruth Ruach said the amendments are intended as clarifying edits and to give staff tools such as a proposed use matrix; staff recommended forwarding a recommendation of approval to the City Council. The commission voted to forward the amendments.
The meeting closed with staff announcements: the Feb. 5 meeting was canceled for lack of agenda items, Rockworth Companies conveyed Block 1 and planned imminent permit submittals, and the RDA has terminated the prior contract on the old City Hall property and will issue a new RFP. A motion to adjourn passed at 7:01 p.m.
Votes at a glance: all contested items on this agenda passed unanimously according to roll call.
