Commission declines to advance Timber Road rezoning after notice confusion and neighbor objections

A joint meeting of city and county leaders voted to deny advancing a rezoning request for about 3 acres north of Timber Road after questions about what was advertised and objections from a nearby property owner.

City staff introduced an ordinance for first reading that would change the parcel from agricultural to heavy industrial (HI) to allow storage units. Planning staff told the governing bodies the applicant had requested HI but the planning commission recommended light industrial (LI). Commissioners noted the on-site and newspaper notices showed LI, not HI, and warned approving HI without accurate notice could be legally vulnerable.

A neighbor, Kirk Sorensen (public commenter), told the council he opposes heavy industrial uses near his home: “I don't want to look at that across the road from my house,” he said, urging the governing bodies to preserve the area's agricultural character.

The council attempted to move the ordinance to a second reading but no second was found. Council member (Council member S11) then moved to deny advancing the ordinance; that motion passed by voice vote. The council directed that the matter not advance to a second reading under the present circumstances.

Next steps: the motion to deny carried on a voice vote and the rezoning will not proceed at this meeting; staff and the applicant will need to resolve the notice and request details before the matter is reconsidered.

Sources: Staff presentation and map (staff: Jose, city planner); public comment from Kirk Sorensen; council motions and final voice vote.