Institutional zoning is considered
Staff reporter
Hillsboro Community Planning and Development Commission gave the go-ahead Thursday to pursue institutional zoning.
Commission members reviewed a copy of the City of Lindsborg's zoning for a college and institutional district.
Steve Garrett, city administrator and zoning administrator, explained the purpose of the zoning district.
Garrett used the example of churches and schools, located in residential districts, wanting to expand.
"Churches located in residential districts have to follow the same setbacks as residential (property)," said Garrett. He also used the example of Tabor College's plans to build a new dormitory.
"Under current zoning regulations, the college would have to seek a variance," Garrett said.
John Riggs, the city's planning and zoning consultant, clarified manufactured homes have to be allowed wherever single family dwellings are allowed.
Riggs said a master plan or a concept development plan would be required for new development within the institutional district.
"Lindsborg has had this district for some time and there haven't been any complaints," Riggs said. He further explained there are six districts in Lindsborg with "spot zoning" for the major Lindsborg churches.
Garrett said the city wants to allow institutions to expand but does not want to be too ambitious or allow too much flexibility. He added eventually the city will need to update the zoning map.
Delores Dalke, mayor of Hillsboro, was present at the meeting and voiced her concerns regarding the district.
"Schools and colleges are located in multi-family neighborhoods," Dalke said. "I would not like to see us take away family housing near the college."
The Lindsborg institutional district does not allow multi-family dwellings. Riggs said the regulations for Hillsboro can be changed to meet Hillsboro's needs. The Lindsborg regulations were just an example or starting point for discussion, added Riggs.
"The main change is the requirement of planning and sharing the plans with the planning commission," added Riggs.
Dalke also said she was concerned about height requirement of 35 feet for buildings.
Riggs answered most smaller communities cannot fight fires higher than 35 feet. He suggested contact be made with the city's fire chief for an opinion.
Garrett said he would contact Tabor College regarding the height of the proposed dormitory.
The commission instructed Garrett to have a preliminary draft of the institutional district at the next planning meeting.
