Coldwater planning commission recommends rezoning of 200 South Clay to C-3

The Coldwater Planning Commission on a voice vote recommended that City Council rezone about 1.25 acres at 200 South Clay from D-2 Heavy Industrial to C-3 Highway Commercial.

A planning staff member, filling in for Director Van Boxall, told the commission the staff recommendation is for approval and described the change as a downzoning that would "provide a buffer of a commercial nature between the residential uses and industrial" activity south of the railroad right-of-way. The staff member also said no public comments or correspondence had been received after the public-notice publication.

Commissioners asked about notice procedures and setback limits; the staff member confirmed adjacent property owners within 300 feet had been notified and reviewed the proposed setbacks in the packet. One commissioner said the C-3 designation makes more sense for the parcels adjacent to existing commercial frontage.

A motion to recommend the zoning-map amendment carried on a voice vote. The staff member said the recommendation will go to City Council for ordinance amendment, which requires two readings: the item is slated for introduction on May 13 and formal adoption on May 28 if Council approves the change.

The commission’s action is a recommendation to City Council; it does not itself change the zoning. The City Council will hold its own readings before any zoning map amendment becomes effective.