Commission approves conditional- and special-use permits, takes up planning for taller buildings

GENTRY -- Gentry's planning and zoning commission approved a special use permit for Gentry Early Learning Academy and a conditional use permit for Gilbert Ulibarri at Thursday's meeting in the Gentry Council Chambers.

Meeting as the appeals board, the commission reviewed the special use permit for the Gentry Early Learning Academy, located at 185 Rebecca Street in Gentry, allowing the child- care facility to operate in a general commercial (C-2) zone. Though some concerns were raised in regard to ingress and egress and alarm systems at the facility following an accident in which a vehicle struck the building, the special use permit was renewed for another year. The public safety concerns were being handled by Chief Vester Cripps of the Gentry Fire Department, according to information shared in the meeting.

A conditional use permit was granted to Gilbert Ulibarri, allowing him to store work materials (insulation products) in a shop building at his home in an A-1 zone. Ulibarri operates his business from home, at 18863 West Highway 12, on the edge of Gentry. Discussion was also held regarding Ulibarri's desire to put up a business sign on his property. While a city ordinance was recently amended to allow a business sign on property zoned A-1, approval would be needed from the state highway department as well, according to comments shared in the discussion.

Also approved during the regular meeting was a tract split for Curtis Galloway on property located on West Highway 12 and WPA Road.

Discussion took place in regard to a proposed ordinance to amend city code and require a subdivider to meet all city code and street and utility requirements even if a subdivision is completed in phases. The proposed ordinance addresses concerns regarding subdivisions started and not completed so that streets and city utilities are complete at the end of each phase. Some wording changes were recommended, so Jay Williams, the city attorney, was asked to make the changes and bring back the proposed ordinance for review at the May meeting of the planning and zoning commission.

Also discussed briefly and tabled until the May meeting was a proposal to adjust building heights and corresponding setbacks. Current code only allows for three story buildings. The changes would allow for taller buildings but would also increase setbacks for buildings as they increase in height. The changes were deemed to be necessary in the event a large hotel were to be built inside the city at some point in the future.

General News on 04/26/2017