Council approves rezoning of 69 acres along US Highway 30 to light industrial

The Pocatello City Council on a unanimous roll-call vote approved a request to rezone roughly 69 acres near 3450 U.S. Highway 30 from residential medium-density single-family (RMS) to light industrial.

Brandon Ratliff, the applicant, told the council the parcels sit adjacent to existing light industrial property and said rezoning would provide added frontage and flexibility for industrial uses. “I feel like there’s a need for light industrial parcels,” Ratliff said during his presentation.

Jim Angely, the city’s long-range planner, said the proposal aligns with the city’s future land-use map and that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval after a public hearing. Angely said staff met state and local notice requirements and had received no written public comments on the application.

Council members asked staff about notification procedures and access to the back lots; Angely explained property owners within 300 feet were mailed notice and the item was published in the Idaho State Journal per state law. Councilman Mangum moved to approve the rezoning and Councilman Pollson seconded; Aubriana called the roll and the motion carried with all members voting yes.

The council closed the public hearing and authorized the zoning change; no conditions beyond typical platting and development review were noted at the meeting. The rezoning now returns to city staff for any subsequent platting or permitting steps required for development.