Commerce approves Harbor Freight request

Developers plan to construct an approximately 16,000-square-foot Harbor Freight store on the property.

Earlier this month, City Manager Matthew Hailey noted that there’s no set timeline on construction and that developers still have some steps to go. Construction of the store is contingent on developers getting septic for the project and securing water availability.

In other zoning business, the council:

•voted to accept an application withdrawal for Rafik Mastov, who had requested a rezoning and variance for a little over an acre at 1269 Elm St. Mastov requested a C-2 zoning to allow a car wash/service and car sales business, which the property had been used for previously. The property had been grandfathered in for the use, but that “grandfathering in” was stripped following a change in the business model. City leaders were concerned about rezoning the property to C-2 in case the lot is sold in the future. During its April 1 meeting, the council asked city staff to see if Mastov would be amendable to a C-1 zoning instead. Mastov was also seeking a variance to allow for a car wash/auto repair/auto sales on the property, since it is less than 2 acres.

•voted to deny a conditional use for Chris Gheorgies for around 3 acres on Hwy. 441 directly north of O’Reilly Auto Parts. Gheorgies wanted to construct a self-storage facility/mini warehouse company in a C-2 zoning, which requires a conditional use. The council was split on the denial, with council members Andre Rollins and Darren Owensby opposed.