Planning commission backs recommendation for salvage yard, watchman’s quarters at 551 South Union Street

The Florence Planning Commission voted Feb. 26 to recommend approval of Special Use Review 26-001, a proposal to operate a salvage yard and construct a 20-by-60-foot building that would include watchman’s living quarters at 551 South Union Street. The commission also approved a required parking plan for the site and will forward both items to the City Council for final action.

Planning Director Fox told commissioners the applicant, George Clark, seeks to develop part of a roughly 10-acre parcel zoned I-2 (Heavy Industrial). The proposal would confine salvage operations to the northeast section of the split parcel, install a six-foot opaque fence around the project area and limit vehicle intake to a maximum of 10 vehicles per day, Fox said. The City Engineer reviewed the applicant’s drainage report and found it acceptable at this stage of review, Fox added.

Angela Bellantoni of Environmental Alternatives, Inc., representing the applicant, said Clark purchased the property in January 2025 and completed a Phase I environmental site assessment. Bellantoni said the operation would employ up to two people, have no floor drains in vehicle intake areas, and store fuels in compliance with CDPHE Water Quality Control regulations. She noted a fire hydrant at the intersection of South Union and Cedar streets.

Applicant George Clark described proposed drainage controls and automotive recycling procedures and confirmed the proposed building would be a single story. Resident Micheal Shuster asked whether the fencing would surround the project and whether the building would be one story; Clark confirmed both. Neighbor Wyatt Reed spoke in favor of the project and thanked the applicant for bringing new business to town. Chair Beth Lenz closed the public hearing after the questioning.

Commissioner Bliss Eckland moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of SUR 26-001 and forward the application to City Council; Commissioner Kirk Nelson seconded. The motion passed on a roll call of 3 ayes. The commission then considered the site’s parking plan. Planning Director Fox said Municipal Code 17.68.030(H) requires a parking plan for industrial lots; the applicant proposed three parking spaces for salvage operations and two spaces for the watchman’s quarters to meet off-street parking requirements. Chair Lenz moved to approve the parking plan; Commissioner Nelson seconded, and the motion passed on a roll call of 4 ayes.

Next steps: the Planning Commission’s recommendation and the approved parking plan will be included in the application packet forwarded to the City Council, which will take final action on the special use review.