City staff backs rezoning 20.52 acres for future library, duplexes; traffic, sidewalks to be handled at final plan

City planning staff recommended the Board of Aldermen approve a rezoning of about 20.52 acres from single-family residential (R-1) to non-retail business (CO) to allow a future Cass County Public Library and potential duplex housing; the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 5–1 and staff recommended approval with the condition that a final development plan be submitted and approved before any development-related permits are issued.

Christina Stanton, AICP, outlined the property’s annexation and zoning history, noted the comprehensive plan identifies the area as “community mixed use,” and said the proposed CO zoning would be compatible with the library and duplex uses the property owner seeks. She said utilities were discussed at pre-application; normal fire-flow tests and a traffic study will be required during the final development plan process and staff expects the existing utilities can be upgraded as needed.

Public commenters urged the city to require ADA-compliant access and sidewalks connecting the new site to the surrounding network. Steve Maldonado asked that the city include a contingency or written commitment to add a crosswalk or sidewalk because the south side of the adjacent street currently lacks sidewalks. Christina Stanton and attending staff said sidewalk and crosswalks would be addressed during the final development plan review and code compliance checks.

Staff noted an adjacent property currently operates a pawn shop under a special-use permit that will remain in effect through Oct. 5, 2027, and that the proposed rezoning is intended to accommodate both the library site and residential duplex units in a compatible manner.

The board did not vote; council bill 23 will return for reading and vote on June 2, subject to staff’s condition requiring an approved final development plan before permits.