Mills County board approves conditional permit for New Lamb Trucking with restrictions

The Mills County Zoning Board of Adjustment on Monday approved a conditional-use permit for New Lamb Trucking LLC to park and perform limited maintenance on its trucks at 22365 221st Street South, near Glenwood.

Applicant Luis Lamb told the board he operates New Lamb Trucking with his father and currently owns three semi-trucks and three 48-foot pneumatic tanker trailers that haul dry bulk materials including cement and fly ash. "We currently own three semi-truckss and three 48 foot tanker trailers," Lamb said during his presentation, adding that trucks are typically on the road and that he expects the fleet could grow to "about five to six" within a few years.

Planning staff, represented by Matt, recommended approving application 26-03 with conditions. The board adopted the staff recommendations, which require the property owner to complete a formal lot split before the permit takes effect, submit a site plan and any required building permits, design the site to meet Mills County codes for screening and buffers, ensure vehicles kept on-site are serviceable and used for the applicant’s trucking business, and prohibit storage of fly ash or other dry powder on the property. Staff also specified that vehicle washouts must be done at a controlled off-site facility.

A nearby resident, identified as Kenny during the public-comment period, asked whether any dry powder would be stored at the site and whether vehicles would be kept in salvage condition. "Is there going to be any of this dry powder stored there?" Kenny asked. Staff and the applicant confirmed that bringing fly ash to the property would be prohibited and that vehicles must be serviceable rather than salvaged.

Board members questioned how the county enforces the short-term storage rule. Matt explained the county zoning ordinance treats vehicles left on-site for 21 consecutive days as potential long-term storage; enforcement typically begins with a notice and opportunities to resolve the issue, after which additional action or a different permit may be required.

Following discussion, a board member moved to approve the conditional-use permit subject to staff conditions; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote. The applicant will receive a resolution and must coordinate with staff to finalize the lot split, submit required plans and permits, and comply with the permit conditions.

The board then proceeded to consider a separate but related application for the same parcel (26-04).