Daniel planning commission schedules May public hearing for Highway 40 parcels proposed for commercial rezoning

The Daniel Town Planning Commission on April 16 voted to schedule a public hearing in May to consider reclassifying two small parcels on the town’s Highway 40 corridor from RA‑5 (residential/agricultural) to commercial. The parcels total about 0.97 acres and 2.63 acres, according to maps presented to the commission.

Commissioners and staff described the sites as narrow parcels on the east side of town that do not reach Little Sweden and noted that one of the parcels is the site of a new storage‑unit development. The applicant, identified in discussion as owning the Victor Hansen property, is under contract on adjacent land and asked that both parcels be considered together.

Several commissioners pressed staff for clarity on vehicle access. Staff said the larger property extends to 3000 South and that the applicant has identified up to three potential access points; commissioners said they would prefer a definitive access plan before the council considers any subdivision or final approval. The commission’s chair said the commission may have been premature in recommending subdivision to the council without road alignments settled.

Commissioners also flagged neighboring residences: staff and commissioners confirmed two homes abut the parcels, one owned by Victor Hansen and another by a separate owner, and discussed how a zone change would affect those lots. The commission discussed frontage and lot‑size standards and asked staff to include that context in the public hearing materials.

The commission agreed, with the applicant’s permission, to handle both parcels together and set the public hearing for a May meeting date discussed in the session. Staff said maps and engineering materials will be included in the May packet for further review.

The planning commission will forward its hearing schedule and packet materials to the town council and invite public comment at the scheduled hearing.