Planning commission approves several plats and plans; variances draw neighbor opposition and some are forwarded to Board of Adjustment

The Mitchell Planning Commission handled multiple plats, site plans and variance requests at the meeting.

Plat and plan approvals: The commission approved a plat from Jensen Capital LLC to subdivide a previously approved business center off South Omen Street; applicant Jeremy Jensen said three of the five lots are already committed. The commission also approved the plat for Brian and Cynthia Dixon (subdivision outside city limits but within the three‑mile ETJ), approved a county jurisdiction plat for Mitchell Concrete Products Company (approx. 7.38 acres, with a 33‑ft access easement and 10‑ft waterline easement), and approved the Move Electric corporate office site plan at 1717 N. Samurn Boulevard after staff and public works review.

Variances and outcomes: Several variance requests drew neighbor comment and close votes. An accessory‑building variance submitted by Corey (Cory) Howser for 1420 E. Birch Avenue — staff identified combined accessory buildings totaling roughly 2,380 sq ft versus a 2,000 sq ft limit — included plan details for a 38x50 garage and a 24x20 carport; a motion was recorded as approved and the record shows the item will be served to/handled by the Board of Adjustment next Monday at 6 p.m. By contrast, a variance request submitted by Muller Lumber on behalf of Dennis and Diane Hartman to reduce an eastern side‑yard setback from 8 ft to 4 ft (605 W. Pine Ave) drew objections from neighbors who said variances should be tied to physical hardship rather than owner preference; that motion failed and will be heard by the Board of Adjustment Monday at 6:00 p.m.

Resident input: Neighbor Larry Matthysse spoke against the Hartman variance, saying the requested change represented a personal preference and did not meet the hardship standards required for a zoning variance. Commissioners questioned whether earlier variances existed in the subdivision and asked staff and the applicant to clarify lot history and hardship descriptions.

Next steps: For items where motions failed or where board of adjustment review was appropriate, staff noted those hearings are scheduled for Monday at 6:00 p.m.; county hearings were noted for plats falling under county jurisdiction.