Sheldon, Iowa — Sheldon’s Planning & Zoning Commission put their seal of approval Thursday on a request to rezone a property on 2nd Avenue from Heavy Industrial to Arterial Commercial. The affected property is located at 1220 2nd Avenue, and is the old DOT Shed on the west side of 2nd Avenue.
The property was sold at auction recently, and was purchased by Tami Vander Veen and Lora Meendering. The two purchased the property with the intention of repurposing the building to include a coffee shop, with a drive-thru option, and a brewery, with the intention of brewing their own beer on-site, and providing on/off alcohol sales.
In addition, Vander Veen and Meendering informed the City that part of their redevelopment plans are to build out a portion of the east side of the building which will provide an entrance. They also say they plan to add parking to the east and south sides of the building, and will be removing an accessory building on the south side of the main building to help accommodate the parking.
With the property currently zoned Heavy Industrial, the use of the property that the two have in mind would not be allowed, but would be allowed if the property is rezoned Arterial Commercial.
The ladies also indicated that they intend to build two apartments on the 2nd story of the building. That would require a special exception to the Arterial Commercial Zoning to allow for the 2nd story apartments. The Planning and Zoning Commission also gave that part of the plan their seal of approval.
We asked Sheldon City Manager Sam Kooiker what happens next, after the P&Z approval.
Kooiker also told us that, although the ordinance changes require three readings, the City Council can, if they so choose, waive the 2nd and 3rd readings, and pass the ordinance changes after just one reading.
Kooiker also tells us that if the special exception to allow the 2nd story apartments for the location is approved, ALL Arterial Commercial zoned properties in the City would then be able to use that special exception to build residential apartments on their 2nd stories.
Photo: Development Director Curt Strouth answers a question from the P&Z Commission while property owners Tami Vander Veen (left), and Lora Meendering look on.
KIWA Staff Photo
