Council to Debate Exceptional Waiver Proposal
In a move aimed at balancing the city's zoning objectives with the needs of affected businesses, the Sheridan City Council is currently considering special exemption requests for eight businesses in the M-1 zoning district.
The city-initiated process, which began in April 2025, is a response to the concerns of property owners who have existing uses or operations in the M-1 district that may not fully comply with the new zoning rules. These businesses are seeking exemptions to continue their current activities without being forced to change or relocate.
The City Council authorized a resolution on April 7, 2025, allowing the governing body to grant Special Exemptions to M-1 property owners who have existing uses impacted by the updated zoning regulations. This resolution is currently under consideration at the City Council's business meeting on Monday, July 7.
The properties being rezoned are currently in the B-1 Business District and will be changed to the B-2 Business District, while the ordinance amended the M-1 zoning district to add heavy industrial uses to the list of uses requiring a Special Exemption by the Board of Adjustment. However, the text does not provide the names of the eight businesses or the specifics of the ordinance amending the M-1 zoning district or the creation of a new M-2 zoning district.
The city-initiated special exemption process is intended to provide these businesses with a pathway to lawful continuation despite the new zoning restrictions. The process is ongoing, with no specific final deadline for decisions publicly specified yet. The city council has the authority to grant or deny the exemptions based on submissions and evaluations.
This special exemption approach is designed to help mitigate disruption caused by zoning changes in the city. The City Council meeting will take place at 5:30 pm in Council Chambers on the third floor of Sheridan City Hall. The public is invited to attend and observe the proceedings.
[1] Sheridan City Council Agenda, April 7, 2025 [2] Sheridan City Council Agenda, July 7, 2025
- The City Council is currently evaluating the finance implications of granting special exemptions to eight businesses in the M-1 zoning district, as they seek to continue their current activities that may not fully comply with the new zoning rules.
- The business meeting on Monday, July 7, will discuss and possibly vote on the requests made by these eight businesses in the M-1 district for special exemptions with regards to their city council-initiated process.
