Commission OKs specific‑use designation for automobile sales at 406 North Midland Drive

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7–0 to approve a request for a specific‑use designation (SUD) without term to allow automobile sales at 406 North Midland Drive.

Staff reported the property is currently zoned regional retail and that an existing car‑sales operation had been flagged by code enforcement for operating without the required SUD. Staff said parking is shared among three occupants of the building (a church, a daycare and the car dealer) and that the lot contains 121 parking spaces while the code calculation requires 88; "the parking lot meets code requirement while also providing an additional 33 extra spaces," the staff presenter said. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions addressing lighting, sound and other development standards.

One neighboring property owner submitted an objection raising concerns about noise; staff said the complaint reflected existing conditions and that code and the proposed conditions are intended to mitigate noise and lighting impacts. When the public hearing opened, Alan Morris spoke in favor, describing long‑term, on‑site automotive uses and calling the church and dealers "very good neighbors." The applicant deferred to staff during the public hearing.

Commissioner Systnegga moved to approve the SUD and Commissioner Richardson seconded. The motion was recorded as passing 7–0. The transcript shows no changes to the staff recommended conditions in the public record.