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Council hears rezoning request for former Kmart site; planning consultant and residents recommend denial
Summary
A proposal to rezone 21111 Van Born from B-2 commercial to I-1 light industrial was introduced for first reading. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended denial citing master‑plan and gateway overlay conflicts; the property owner argued I-1 would make the site marketable after Ford’s lease ends.
Council received a first reading on a rezoning petition to change 21111 Van Born (the former Kmart) from B-2 commercial to I-1 light industrial. Planning staff and the planning consultant recommended denial, citing the city’s master plan and the Van Born gateway overlay, which the consultant said is intended to promote walkability and higher design standards.
Conrad Shewey, representing the property owner Core BKG Van Born LLC, told the council the site was conditionally rezoned when Ford moved in and that the owners expect Ford to leave around mid‑2027. He argued the owner needs I-1 to market the large site to potential industrial or warehouse tenants and said "So our intent is to have the block be similarly zoned throughout," citing regional trends in warehouse reuse.
Residents who spoke urged the council to preserve buffers and opposed permanent I-1 zoning near residential areas. Planning staff said the overlay text exists but a corresponding official map was not available in the packet and promised to provide the overlay map and clarification on whether conditional rezoning remains possible under the overlay. The item was received for first reading; final action will occur at a later meeting after staff provides the requested materials.
