Council approves zoning-map language to extend commercial boundary along Highway 24

The Bicknell Town Council voted Oct. 2 to change how the town defines a commercial zone along Highway 24, approving language that refers to the official zoning map rather than listing street names in the ordinance text.

Planning and council members debated whether to name Highway 24 or Old Main Street in the ordinance. Speaker 7 noted the ordinance already ties zone boundaries to a map: "the location and boundary of each of the zones are hereby established as shown on the official zone map entitled Zoning Map of Bicknell Town." Several council members argued that simply referencing the zoning map is clearer and consistent with existing code.

Members discussed the practical effects on three privately held parcels along the corridor—two residences and a long-standing sawmill—and whether those uses would be 'grandfathered' if the map is corrected. Council members agreed owners should be notified and afforded an opportunity to apply for zone changes; members discussed offering a 60-day window for affected owners to take action.

Speaker 3 moved the text change to rely on the zoning map, and Speaker 6 seconded. The motion passed in a recorded voice vote with no opposition. Council members also instructed planning & zoning to prepare a revised map and follow required public-notice steps and hearings before any final parcel reclassification.

Next steps: planning & zoning will produce an updated zoning map and coordinate required public hearings and notifications to property owners; annexation was discussed as a separate, longer process and was not advanced at the meeting.