Council approves modified development agreement for Redbarn Inn, limits some uses

The Star City Council approved changes to the Redbarn Inn development agreement on Jan. 20, limiting certain land uses and incorporating staff revisions to preserve neighborhood compatibility.

Staff reported they had prepared a list of permitted, conditional and prohibited uses for the Central Business District to attach to the modified development agreement. The proposed changes move multiple uses to conditional or prohibited status — examples discussed included banning drive‑through windows and vehicle sales, restricting bars/taverns from being permitted, limiting gasoline fueling stations and wireless communication facilities, and making indoor animal care conditional and outdoor animal care prohibited.

Applicant Diane Lay said the owners have decided to sell the property rather than build the originally proposed project and stressed they had removed uses that would be “bad for the neighborhood.” Council members agreed the staff revisions better protect neighborhood character.

Councilman Nielsen moved, and the council approved, the development‑agreement modification, including staff’s changes (specifically making medical clinics conditional). The motion carried on a roll‑call vote.