Aberdeen council adopts rezoning for Dome and Stro Center after neighbor concerns

The Aberdeen City Council on Oct. 28, 2024, adopted Ordinance 21101 to rezone two city-owned parcels — the Aberdeen Dome and the Stro Center — from R-1 residential to a Municipal/State/County Use District so the parks and recreation department can continue public programming.

City planning staff member Ken summarized the request, noting the Planning Commission approved the petition on Oct. 15, 2024, and that “staff recommends approval.” The ordinance applies only to the two platted lots the city owns and does not change zoning for other university dormitory lots to the east, staff said.

Paul Hopkins, who identified himself as a neighbor, urged caution. “I just wanted to say a couple comments … there is a concern from the neighbors about that open area,” Hopkins said, and suggested the council consider designating the specific area as parkland to provide greater assurance to residents about future uses.

Council and staff responded that the city’s purchase agreement with the sisters who sold the land contains a restriction barring commercial uses; staff clarified that restriction does not bar other governmental uses. Council members said that if the property were parceled and rezoned to residential in the future, that process would require Planning Commission review and two council hearings, giving neighbors multiple opportunities to comment.

On a roll-call vote the council carried the ordinance (individual votes were recorded in the council minutes). The council meeting record shows Council Member Langer cast the lone recorded no vote; other members and the mayor voted in the affirmative.

The ordinance is final as adopted at second reading. The city clerk recorded the roll-call votes; the council did not attach additional amendments before adoption.