The Walnut Grove City Council opened a public hearing on a variance request from SBC Construction Group, representing Church at the Grove, to diverge from two elements of the city’s Downtown Overlay District design requirements.

Joe Walter, Walnut Grove planning and zoning administrator, told the council the applicant sought two variances: permission to use exterior metal building panels in the Downtown Overlay (the ordinance generally does not allow that material except in limited circumstances) and permission for front windows to extend “all the way to the slab” rather than stopping at the traditional visible sill line.

The planning staff review and the Planning & Zoning Commission both recommended that the council consider approving the variances. “In our opinion, the granting of this variance wouldn't impair wouldn't give them any other special privilege or impair the the look and feel of the district,” Walter said during the hearing.

The applicant’s representative did not appear at the council hearing; Walter said the council had seen the building design and materials in previous reviews. Walter also described the metal panel system as metal on the exterior with insulation and foam within the wall assembly and added that the system is less expensive and “it's greener.”

No members of the public spoke against the variance; one attendee asked for clarification about the proposed wall system and whether the windows would extend to ground level. Planning staff confirmed the window request and the metal panel material used on the building elevations submitted with the application.

Mayor (unnamed) asked for a motion to place the item on the council agenda so a decision could be made at the next meeting. The mayor recommended the council put the variance on the agenda for the next business meeting, May 8, for a final vote.

If approved by the council, the variances would permit the Church at the Grove to use modern metal panel cladding and full-height storefront glazing on the building frontage within the Downtown Overlay District; the council debate and vote will determine whether those exceptions to the overlay’s design rules are allowed.