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Blair council approves land-use change and advances rezoning along Highway 30
Summary
The Blair City Council adopted an updated future land use map designating three tax lots along Highway 30 as commercial and passed first reading to rezone the same parcels amid developer interest and neighbor concerns.
The Blair City Council on July 28 adopted Ordinance 26-23 to change the future land use designation for tax lots 143, 145 and 146 along Highway 30 from residential to highway commercial, and passed Ordinance 26-24 on first reading to rezone the same parcels. City Administrator Phil Green told the council staff backed the change because the parcels, now under contract, likely represent the highest and best use for the area.
"This property has had development occurring next to it," Green said, describing grading done for Blair Crossing and noting a pending contract for purchase. "Our recommendation for the future land use map is to simply fill in that triangle and make all of the property designated as highway commercial for future use." He emphasized that a future land use change does not require immediate rezoning but aligns long-term expectations for marketing and development.
Developers who say they have the parcels under contract told the council they are still doing due diligence. "Our best use would be for the whole thing to be commercial," developer John Mabry said, adding soil testing and environmental surveys are underway and that commercial users for 22 acres are not guaranteed.
Several neighboring property owners urged caution. "Changing the future land use map today would make a lot of impact on how things are looked at," said neighboring resident Christina Barta, who asked the council to wait for the planned comprehensive-plan update so professionals can weigh in.
The planning commission recommended approval of the future land use map change 4–1 but suggested rezoning only Lot 145; staff presented the council with options to rezone one, two or all three lots. The council suspended the statutory three-reading requirement and adopted Ordinance 26-23; it then voted to pass Ordinance 26-24 on first reading to rezone the parcels, sending the matter to additional readings and public comment as required.
Next steps: the rezoning will return to the council for subsequent readings unless the council elects otherwise; developers said they will continue due diligence before closing.
