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Council hears two variance requests: trucking staging site and revised retail/convenience conditional use
Summary
At a public hearing, planning staff and applicants described a trucking staging/parkin g terminal proposal at 1425 Municipal Parkway requesting a side-yard parking setback reduction, and an amended variance request for a convenience store at 9465 Highway 5 that would allow leasing the fourth retail unit; both public hearings were opened and closed and will return for action on Monday.
Nicole Miller, chair of the Planning & Development Committee, presided over public hearings on two variance applications on July 16.
The first request concerns approximately 2.0 acres at 1425 Municipal Parkway (application by MHL Solutions). Planning and zoning administrator Chelsea Tubbs described the site as heavy industrial and explained the applicant seeks a reduction in the required 15-foot side-yard parking setback to 5 feet to accommodate about 30 truck parking spaces and safer circulation. Applicant Larry Hurst, the project's licensed qualifier, said the site will serve as a secure staging area for tractor trailers and stressed mitigation measures including a perimeter security fence and controlled access. Councilors asked about truck routing, fire access and how the site will avoid spillover parking; staff indicated engineering review had addressed fire and circulation concerns and that final permits would reflect any required route restrictions.
The second public hearing addressed an amendment to a previously approved variance (Resolution 2025-30, adopted 06/02/2025) for a convenience store with fuel at 9465 Highway 5. Dana Gray summarized that the applicant seeks to change a prior condition that required the fourth retail unit to remain vacant (or be used as storage/hallway) so that the unit could be leased. Applicant Terry Boomer (LJA Engineering) explained the development footprint changed from larger 2,200+ sq ft shop units to smaller 1,700 sq ft units; council and staff reviewed updated parking needs, with staff noting the current ordinance calculations would require roughly 48 spaces rather than the 33 previously approved. Council members pressed on the types of tenants likely to occupy smaller boutique spaces, implications for on-site parking, and whether reduced leasable unit sizes change traffic or service demands.
Both hearings were opened for public comment; no members of the public came forward and the hearings were closed. Planning staff said both items will be taken up at the regular voting meeting on Monday for formal action.
What happens next: Both variance applications remain under consideration and will return to the council's Monday voting meeting for formal deliberation and any votes.
