Dawson County approves rezoning request for Hood Landscaping to allow additional outdoor parking

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners voted to rezone 5.25 surveyed acres at 6495 Highway 9 South to allow expanded outdoor parking for Hood Landscaping.

Planning Director Richard told commissioners the planning commission unanimously recommended approval with no conditions, noting the rezoning would bring the property into commercial compliance. "Planning commission unanimously recommended approval with no conditions," Richard said during his presentation.

Janice Chatham, who said she spoke on behalf of property owner Robert Stanley Hood, told the board the change would allow additional parking for commercial equipment and trucks and could provide a limited number of rental spaces for other local businesses. "We do not plan to add any electricity or any power or any buildings or a new entrance to this property," Chatham said, adding that the family likely will add gravel but make no structural changes.

Commissioners asked whether the special use could allow tractor-trailer, RV or boat storage and whether the board should add screening or limits on the permitted uses. Richard said the CRB (rural business) category allows parking or storage on a case-by-case basis and that the board could add zoning conditions such as screening fences or limits on the types of vehicles allowed.

After public testimony (no in-person opposition was recorded), Commissioner Stowers moved to approve ZA2511, and Commissioner Bruce seconded. The board approved the rezoning (transcript: "And that is approved for them.").

The applicant, identified in the record as Robert Stanley Hood, seeks the land-use amendment to regularize an existing commercial operation and to permit up to 5.25 acres to be used for outdoor parking and occasional rental spaces. The transcript records discussion that the use would generally serve commercial landscaping vehicles and equipment, not large 18-wheel tractor-trailers, and that the board retains the ability to impose screening conditions if members choose.

Next steps: the board approved the rezoning and special use at this meeting; staff will record the change and implement the zoning map amendment per county procedures.