Planning staff recommend special-use permit for temporary storage and off-site parking at Row Avenue pump station

Mr. Scott, presenting items from the Planning Commission, described a request from Johnson County Wastewater to use two lots at the Row Avenue wastewater pump station to support construction at the nearby Bender pump station. He said the proposal would provide one lot for employee parking with a shuttle van and a second lot for locked containers to store materials and equipment, and that the intent is to avoid unloading in street lanes during busy times.

"They're asking for two lots on the property. The closest, the one that's closest to Row is gonna be primarily for employee parking... The second lot... is more for storage materials," Mr. Scott said. Staff recommended handling the request as a special-use permit because the zoning-code language for temporary uses is vague and the request effectively creates off-site storage that the city regulates. Proposed conditions included silt fencing, an inspector/monitoring plan, before-and-after photos of sidewalks and curbs, a $30,000 certy bond to cover repairs, and a security camera on site to discourage theft.

Committee members asked why the county could not use the Nelson treatment plant site and whether the permit should limit hours of operation; Mr. Scott said Nelson is active and lacks dedicated space, and staff did not anticipate loud construction activity at the Row Avenue lots. The committee also confirmed there would be no hazardous materials stored on site. The committee recommended acceptance on the consent/regular agenda.