An ordinance to amend zoning regulations to add mini storage units as an excepted use in properties zoned office park district failed 3-5 on third reading during the Blair City Council's regular meeting Aug. 24.
Council members Chris Jensen, Frank Wolff and Marty Shepard voted for the ordinance.
“This is not the best use for this,” council member Jon Stewart said. “It doesn't fit with the zoning.”
Council member Mindy Rump agreed.
“There are other zonings that allow for mini storage units,” she said. “This, I think, needs to stay office park. You can have the possibility of apartments and restaurants in this office park district. I mean, miniature golf courses. I would hate to see something else come up next to it that's a mini storage unit. We're trying to encourage office park through this. To me, mini storage units don't belong there.”
The council approved the purchase of lots in the Transformation Hill Addition on the former Dana College campus.
Two lots were sold to Orchard Valley, Inc. The lots had previously been sold, but the developer did not meet the deadline for building. Orchard Valley must begin construction by Jan. 1.
Four lots in the Southern Ridge Addition along U.S. Highway 30 were returned to the city after the council repealed part of an ordinance in which the lots were sold to Huntington Homes in April 2018.
“The original purchase agreement allowed us that if they hadn't built on them within a certain period of time, which I think was two years, that we would have the ability to take those lots back and make them available,” City Administrator Rod Storm said.
The city will publicize the sale of the lots.
The council approved the route for the Blair High School homecoming parade route as part of its consent agenda.
Homecoming is planned for Oct. 8.
The parade will begin at approximately 2:15 p.m. The route will start at the high school on 10th Street and go south to Park Street, turn west on Park Street to 16th Street, turn north on 16th to Jackson Street, turn east on Jackson Street and end at Krantz Field.
A pep rally will follow.
