The Boardman City Council held a hearing on August 7, 2018 to take comments regarding a Port of Morrow request for a zone change.
The port plans to purchase an 80.19 acre parcel located along S.E. Front Street. It is currently a mixed zone consisting of Tourist Commercial, Future Urban, and Manufactured Home Park Sub-District. The port wants to rezone 72.34 acres to General Industrial, 4.97 acres to Tourist Commercial, and 2 acres to Manufactured Home Park Sub-District, with the remaining .87 acres for dedicated rights-of-way.
Port of Morrow Executive Director Gary Neal and County Commissioner Don Russell spoke in favor of the rezone. Both felt the rezone would be economically good for Boardman. Neal said there is a possibility this property could be included in an enterprise zone to encourage development.
No one spoke in opposition to the rezone. Councilors approved the first reading of an ordinance approving the rezone. The second reading of the ordinance and a decision on the rezone is scheduled for the Sept. 4 meeting.
In other city business, councilors approved a commercial liquor license for Burnt Field, LLC. They also approved the first reading of an ordinance requiring background checks on all city employees and volunteers. The council also passed a resolution changing the city’s fee structure for water meter installations.
The next Boardman City Council meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at Boardman City Hall.
