Planning Commission recommends rezoning five lots at 16th and Grand for storage use

The Goodland Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request for five lots at the southwest corner of 16th Street and Grand, forwarding the proposal to the City Commission for final action.

Planning staff described the request as a change from R‑1 (single‑family residential) to C‑1 (general business) for lots 1–5, and said the applicant’s intent is to develop storage units on the parcels. Staff told commissioners that notices were mailed to neighboring owners and that one anonymous caller opposed the application, saying they did not want to look at storage units and were concerned about additional traffic.

Staff emphasized that the parcels abut existing commercial uses on the opposite side of Grand and that storage units are a permitted use in the C‑1 district (but would be a conditional use in the Downtown Mixed Use district). Commissioners discussed compatibility issues — screening, lighting and potential impacts on nearby residences — and weighed the trade‑off between preserving five residential lots versus allowing infill commercial development. Staff also noted property owners have an administrative appeal window following the City Commission decision.

Mary Ellen Kumar moved to recommend approval of the rezoning; Wally Henson seconded the motion. The commission called the question and recorded ayes; the motion passed to recommend approval. The recommendation will be considered by the City Commission; a final decision and any appeal rights will be determined at that stage.

Next steps: The rezoning recommendation will be placed on the City Commission agenda for its decision. If approved by the City Commission, affected parties have the right to any further appeals provided in city procedure and code.