What's next for the Menard's rezoning application?

Now that the Decorah Planning & Zoning Commission has voted 4-3 to deny Menard's application to rezone property from F-1 Floodplain to C-4 Shopping Center Commercial, the issue moves on to the Decorah City Council.

The city council meets next Monday, August 20th, and is expected to approve a resolution to set a date for a public hearing on the application for zoning amendment.  It's likely that the public hearing will be scheduled for Tuesday, September 4th.

After the public hearing on that date (if it is held then), the city council could consider the ordinance on rezoning.  It would vote first on that ordinance, needing six votes in favor of the rezoning in order to overrule the Planning & Zoning Commission vote to deny the rezoning.  The city council could also consider the Menard's site plan and development agreement on September 4th.

If the city council overrules the commission vote, a second and third reading of the rezoning ordinance would be held, with the third and final reading and adoption coming October 1st, followed by an October 3rd Board of Adjustment meeting to consider special use permit and variances for the project.