Planning & Zoning Commission
May 12, 2026
The lede
- Commission approved two variances for a residential property at 915 Van Buren Street to allow construction of a new garage and driveway with reduced landscape surface ratio (45% vs. required 50%) and reduced driveway setback (1 foot vs. required 3 feet).
- Commission approved a special use permit for Central Commodities grain elevator at 1140 W. Locust Street to construct a 112-foot-tall grain bin with 11.25-foot building separation (vs. 40-foot requirement).
- Both cases will proceed to City Council with staff-recommended conditions.
- Commission elections scheduled for June 9, 2026 meeting.
Decisions & votes
Case 2026-06 (Lind, 915 Van Buren Street - Variances)
- Vote to approve findings of fact: Passed 6-0 (Maher/Hyland)
- Vote to recommend approval with 1 condition: Passed 6-0 (Maher/Gnewuch)
- Condition: Stormwater drainage plan and calculations must be provided to Public Works Department to ensure no additional runoff onto neighboring properties
Case 2026-07 (Mickey/Central Commodities, 1140 W. Locust Street - Special Use)
- Vote to approve findings of fact: Passed 6-0 (Cantrell/Druckrey)
- Vote to recommend approval with 3 conditions: Passed 6-0 (Maher/Druckrey)
- Conditions: (1) Development in substantial conformance with site plan dated April 14, 2026; (2) Full final site plan required before building permits; (3) Planned development limited to specified flexible standards for building separation and height
Minutes approval (April 14, 2026)
- Vote: Passed 6-0 (Maher/Druckrey), with correction to Carl Gnewuch’s statement about food service/gaming
Discussion items
Case 2026-06 (915 Van Buren Street)
- Staff clarified actual variance needed is 45% landscape surface ratio (not the 41% originally requested by applicant)
- Discussion about stormwater drainage plans and how they account for property topography, soil absorption, and runoff
- Applicant explained sewer line under proposed patio was upgraded from clay tile to PVC and patio will protect the line
- Applicant stated new driveway configuration will direct runoff toward apron with no elevation change toward road
Case 2026-07 (Central Grain)
- Tenth grain bin proposed at 112 feet tall (shorter than some existing bins on property, which reach up to 140 feet)
- Building separation of 11.25 feet needed for operational connectivity between grain bins
- Similar special use approved in 2008 for ninth grain bin at 140 feet height and 15-foot separation
- Stormwater management through depressional storage to accommodate approximately 2,830 square feet of additional impervious surface
- Commercial grain elevator has operated at this location since 1957
Staff report
- Four cases scheduled for June 9, 2026 meeting
- Commission elections to be held at June 9, 2026 meeting
Financial / operational notes
No content.