City of Clyde council adopts broader zoning rules, restricts RVs as residences, approves housing replats and delays property sales

The City Council of the City of Clyde on Dec. 9 adopted changes intended to give developers more flexibility while retaining council control over business types, adopted new limits on recreational vehicles used as residences, approved three preliminary replats for residential parcels and delayed any sales of several city-owned properties pending further information.

City Administrator Rodger Brown told the council the zoning amendment redesignating “Residential Planned Development District” as a broader “Planned Development District” is intended to allow a greater range of development options. “This ordinance gives the developer a broader range for development,” Brown said. Mayor Stephen Steele asked whether the council would still have authority to limit the types of businesses that locate in those zones; Brown replied the council retains that authority.

The council adopted the reclassification ordinance by unanimous vote. The change amends Exhibit 14A of the Clyde Code of Ordinances (the zoning ordinance) to rename RPD as PD and to make related clarifying edits.

On land-use specifics, the council approved three preliminary replats intended for housing in the city’s original townsite. Brown said the replat of Lots 2–6 in Block 12 will be used for single-family housing. After a question from Councilmember Bo Davidson, Director of Community Services Terry Davis said a 30-foot separation between two plats will most likely be used for a road with an entrance from Cherry Street. The council approved the preliminary replats for Lots 2–6, Lots 7–10 and the one-acre division from a larger tract; each motion carried unanimously.

Separately, the council adopted an amendment to the zoning ordinance that prohibits recreational vehicles from being used as permanent residences on residentially zoned property outside RV parks. Brown said the ordinance allows temporary RV housing for disaster events—up to six months—and that property owners may request extensions in exceptional circumstances. “We monitor that through citizen input, code enforcement, and staff,” Brown said when Mayor Steele asked how occupancy would be tracked. Councilmember Tammy Shellhammer asked what the process would be if six months proved insufficient after a disaster such as a house fire; Brown said officials can grant longer time when warranted. The RV restriction ordinance passed unanimously.

Brown also presented six city-owned properties the administration recommended for possible sale to return parcels to the tax rolls. He provided Broker’s Price Opinions for several properties: the former EMS building at 815 S. 2nd (BPO $145,000); the old Senior Citizens Building at 123 N. Fourth St. W. (BPO $46,000); the commercial building at 206 Oak St. currently occupied by Curbside Cuts (BPO $121,000); two tracts around the wastewater plant (Tract 1, 40 acres, BPO $350,000; Tract 2, 90 acres, BPO $573,000); and the Parks & Recreation building at 170 PR 6050 (BPO $942,000). Brown said the city would retain some acreage around the wastewater plant for future municipal development; the BPO for 121 S. 3rd St. (the former Boys and Girls Club) was not specified pending a measurement and condition review. After discussion about storage needs and the community value of certain buildings, Councilmember David Mann moved to postpone any sales until staff gathers more information; the motion carried 4–1, with Councilmember Bo Davidson recorded as opposed and one member not recorded in the minutes.

Votes at a glance: the council approved three preliminary replats and adopted two zoning ordinance amendments (RPD→PD and RV-occupancy restrictions), all by unanimous votes; it postponed a decision on selling six city properties by a 4–1 vote with one member not recorded. The council also voted unanimously to update First Financial Bank signature cards and to open a project development checking account tied to a city 380 agreement.

Why it matters: redesignating RPD to a broader PD may change the range of housing and commercial mixes developers can propose in Clyde; the RV rule tightens limits on nonpermanent housing in residential zones while allowing short-term disaster relief. Postponing property sales keeps potentially revenue-generating parcels off the market until the city has more information on value and storage/operations alternatives.

Next steps: staff will return with further details on the properties being considered for sale, and the new ordinances and replats will proceed according to the city’s code and posting requirements.