Planning commission backs rezoning of Cordic parcel for highway‑business use

The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend rezoning a southern strip of a Cordic family parcel from C2 Conservation to B4 Highway Business, a change staff said would square lot lines and make a smaller, developable corner parcel available for highway‑oriented business uses.

Ununice, the staff planner, explained the proposal would leave the northern wetland and hunting area in conservation while adjusting the southern edge — an approximately 80‑by‑2253‑foot strip — into B4 zoning to conform to a prospective third‑party buyer’s preferred lot geometry. The staff report noted much of the parcel sits inside a 100‑year floodplain but said the developable portion near the intersection would not be in the floodplain and any future development would have to meet floodplain elevation and construction rules.

A member of the public asked whether the parcel sits inside a TIF district; staff confirmed the parcel lies within an active TIF area and that B4 zoning could support commercial uses compatible with the nearby industrial corridor. The commission then considered a motion to approve the rezoning as written. The motion carried by roll call: eight yes votes, no nays.

Outcome and next steps: The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the city council for final action. Staff emphasized that any development would still need to comply with floodplain and other development regulations and that site work would likely require earthwork and permits.

Vote record (by roll call recorded at the meeting): eight votes in favor, zero opposed.