The Battle Ground City Council unanimously approved Monday, with little debate, a zoning change that will impact the auto industry in the downtown business district.
During a Jan. 2 City Council discussion on the proposed zoning, City Manager Erin Erdman highlighted the concerns of officials working on the Grace Avenue realignment project and downtown revitalization project plans. He said he realized the need for a zoning change.
Erdmann told the City Council that the rezoning “will allow for the expansion of the existing automotive service station in the downtown area.”
To expand the business, owners may need to conduct additional inspections such as installing fencing and landscaping around the property, moving vehicle storage and merchandise indoors, and moving storage to the back of the property. there is.
“The intention behind this is to clean up areas where there is a lot of existing outdoor storage of an industrial nature so that they can be stored indoors or behind fenced gates,” Aardman said. he told parliament.
Under the revised zoning, all outdoor storage areas must be screened with a 6-foot solid fence or chain link fence. Setback, cushioning, parking, and height requirements may vary by zoning.
“We only have two auto companies in the downtown commercial district. They've been there for years…probably before we built downtown,” Vice Mayor Shane Bowman said at the Jan. 2 meeting. He spoke at
Bowman said the issue recently came up because one of the companies that lost some of its property to the city due to the Grace Avenue realignment project was looking to expand by purchasing an adjacent parcel. Stated.
Bowman said business owners have discovered that expanding into new properties requires zoning changes. Neither business will be able to expand unless the zoning changes are implemented, Erdman said.
“I think this is great because it will allow businesses in town to expand and the parking will be within the fence,” Mayor Troy McCoy said. “I like the thought that went into this piece. I think this is a great example of our city working with local business owners.”
The council was scheduled to consider the proposed changes at its Jan. 16 meeting, but the meeting was canceled due to severe winter weather.
Owners of both businesses affected by the zoning change could not be reached for comment.
A complete recording of the Battle Ground Council meeting is available at www.youtube.com/@battlegroundcitycouncil1129.
Zoning ordinances are listed on the meeting agenda at www.cityofbg.org/agendacenter.
