Commission rezones McDowell Creek Road property to light industrial

A Planning & Development representative presented a detailed history of a 5.9‑acre tract near McDowell Creek Road that has been used for towing and vehicle storage for decades and said staff recommended administratively rezoning the site from AG (agricultural) to I‑1 (light industrial) to avoid future uncertainty about permitted uses. The presenter noted the site is mostly outside the regulated floodway and that the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board had unanimously recommended approval on July 6.

Commissioner discussion focused on site history and safety: speakers noted the property abuts the Kansas River and that the last major flooding there occurred in 1993, but staff said the site uses rural water and on‑site septic and is within the county’s riparian buffer rules. The commission moved, seconded and approved the requested rezoning and the associated development site plan by voice vote.

The county will record the map amendment and staff said no Mylar was required for this item. The action brings the county zoning map into alignment with the parcel's historic commercial use and staff said the change should reduce future permitting confusion.