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Jackson County zoning commission recommends conditional rezoning for quarter-acre property near boat ramp
Summary
The commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve ZC 26-01, a conditional rezoning of about one-quarter acre from A-1 agricultural to C-1 highway commercial for enclosed storage and a single vending machine, subject to staff-recommended conditions; the recommendation passed by roll-call vote.
The Jackson County Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of ZC 26-01, a conditional rezoning petition for roughly one-quarter acre owned by Roger and Susan, forwarding the matter to the Board of Supervisors for final action.
Planner Ethan Houssell summarized the application: "The applicants, Roger and Susan are requesting to rezone approximately 1 quarter acre from A-1 agricultural to C-1 highway commercial, subject to conditions under Iowa Code section 335.7." Houssell said the site contains a roughly 1,800-square-foot metal warehouse built around 1970 and that staff is recommending narrowly tailored conditions to allow enclosed storage and a single vending-machine accessory use while limiting other commercial activities.
Why it matters: The recommended conditions are designed to allow the existing, nonresidential structure to remain usable without introducing broad commercial uses into the surrounding residential area. Houssell told the commission he received three phone calls from property owners within the 500-foot notification area with questions but no formal objections.
Applicant Roger addressed the commission about the parcel’s history and intent for limited commercial use: "The property's been in my wife's family, for practically ever," he said, explaining that the family combined two lots after an earlier sale and that the vending option reflects a seasonal convenience for recreational traffic to a nearby Army Corps boat ramp.
Key details from the staff recommendations include limits to enclosed storage uses, a single 50-square-foot vending-machine footprint recessed into the building, no staffed retail operations, and options for down-shielded lighting and limited signage. Commissioners confirmed the proposal would not permit outdoor storage or building expansion under the conditions and that the conditions would be recorded and run with the land if the Board of Supervisors approves the rezoning.
After discussion and clarification that the conditional zoning would be recorded and apply to future owners unless changed by rezoning, the commission took a roll-call vote. The motion passed by recorded assent and the matter was forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for their public hearing and final decision.
Next steps: ZC 26-01 will appear on the Board of Supervisors’ public hearing agenda; the commission’s recommendation and the staff conditions will be part of that record.
