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Planning Commission recommends approval of JRK Seed variance and PUD amendment for 511 Railroad Avenue
Summary
The Delano Planning Commission on March 9 recommended approval of a variance and Planned Unit Development amendment for JRK Seed at 511 Railroad Avenue to allow taller grain bins and elevator legs for operational needs, with staff conditions; commissioners pressed the applicant on paving, lighting and traffic impacts.
The Delano Planning Commission voted March 9 to recommend approval of a variance request and Planned Unit Development amendment for JRK Seed at 511 Railroad Avenue, following a staff presentation and questions about operations, safety and site access.
City Planner Kim Lindquist presented the continued public hearing, saying the proposal includes additional grain bins and elevator legs that exceed I-2 zoning district height requirements. Lindquist said the increased height "is necessary due to the design and operation of the grain bins, including the cone-shaped bottoms and gravity-fed system," and that staff recommended approval with conditions, noting a prior variance approved in 2019.
Commissioners pressed the applicant on operational impacts. Jon Krieg asked whether there had been complaints; Phil Kern, the city administrator, said staff was not aware of recent complaints. JRK Seed representative Gino Pitera said portions of the site "have already been paved and additional paving is planned as soon as feasible," and that improved site circulation would reduce the chance of trucks stacking on the narrow site. When asked about hours of operation, Pitera said expanded hours are possible as the business grows but "no immediate changes are anticipated." On lighting, Pitera said "no additional lighting beyond what is necessary is proposed" and that shielding would be used as needed; Kern added that FAA lighting requirements generally apply to structures around 200 feet in height and staff would verify applicability.
Chairperson Jeff Demeules opened the public hearing (calling three times for comment) and, hearing none, closed it. Motion by Jon Krieg, seconded by Josh Gehlen, to recommend approval of the variance request and PUD amendment with staff conditions carried. The minutes record the motion as "motion carried" but do not include a roll-call tally.
The commission's recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council for final action and the staff conditions attached to the approval will need to be satisfied as the project proceeds.
