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Star council leaves Red Barn Inn development-agreement change open, tables item to Jan. 20
Summary
At a Dec. 2 meeting the Star City Council left a public hearing open and tabled a request to modify the Red Barn Inn development agreement, directing staff to work with the applicant to identify compatible uses and return Jan. 20, 2026.
The Star City Council on Dec. 2 left open and tabled a request to modify the development agreement for the Red Barn Inn at 309 South Main Street, directing staff to work with the applicant and return the item to the Jan. 20, 2026 meeting.
The issue before the council was a request to allow "any uses" permitted in the Central Business District in place of a prior condition limiting the site to motel or lodge use. Staff said the applicant has not identified specific alternate uses and that the owner wants to improve marketability to sell the property. "They are trying to sell the property, and they're having trouble selling the commercial property because it's specific to one use," staff said during the hearing.
Several council members raised concerns that removing the use limitation could create a blanket entitlement that might allow future buyers to pursue uses incompatible with surrounding residential neighborhoods. One council member warned it could be "an end run around what we typically have done," urging caution and options to preserve neighborhood compatibility.
Two neighbors spoke during public comment in support of the originally approved motel-scale use. Gary Avis of 210 South Main Street said the proposed bed-and-breakfast–style use was "perfect" for the neighborhood and expressed disappointment the proponent was not present to explain the change. Laurie Belotte of 8582 West Stillmore Street thanked council members for considering compatibility with nearby residences.
After discussion, a council member moved to leave the public hearing open, table the item to Jan. 20, 2026, and direct staff to meet with the applicant to identify compatible uses for inclusion in a revised development agreement. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wheelock and passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.
The council indicated alternatives they may consider when the item returns: require conditional-use approval for any new CBD use, draft a specific list of allowed uses compatible with nearby residential parcels, or have the applicant withdraw and return with a targeted modification when a buyer and proposed use are identified.
