photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Douglas County commissioners met on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at the Douglas County Public Works building, 3755 E 25th St.

Douglas County commissioners approved a rezoning request and a conditional use permit for a 11.1-acre property at 1760 East 1100 Road on Wednesday.

The property includes a rural residence and an accessory building, currently used by Schendel Landscaping. The business haD outgrown its zoning limitations, with the accessory building being used for what the county classifies as heavy equipment storage and some equipment stored outside, neither of which was permitted by the zoning regulations that previously applied to the property.

As the Journal-World reported, the business, which employs 50 people, requested a conditional use permit for equipment storage. Since its Clustered Preservation zoning didn’t allow this use, the business also had to seek a zoning change to the less-restrictive AG-2, transitional agricultural, category to qualify for the permit.

The zoning changes are not expected to increase traffic, as the business is already operating on the site.

In other business, commissioners:

• Awarded a contract to Wildcat Construction Co. in the amount of $252,194 for repairs and modifications to two existing bridges on North 1100 Road. One bridge crosses the Wakarusa River, and the other crosses over Coal Creek. Inspection reports have identified the need to rebuild the bearings supporting both bridges.

• Postponed a decision on a contract with Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc. for the replacement of four road-crossing culverts, relocating a large roadside drainage channel and adding paved shoulders along a section of Route 1061, East 2200 Road, from North 700 Road to North 900 Road, in the total amount of $1,971,515.92. Commissioner Karen Willey said this item would return to the commission at a future date.