(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Planning and Zoning Commission will meet 5:30-p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12th, in the Council’s Chambers, at City Hall. On their agenda is a Commercial Building Site Plan review for Elk Horn, Nebraska-based McDonald’s Real Estate Company’s restaurant in Atlantic. During the Council’s meeting last Wednesday, City Administrator/Zoning Administrator John Lund mentioned McDonald’s is interested in demolishing their old/current building, and replacing it with a more modern structure.

Casey Thompson, of Bishop Engineering has submitted a site plan for a 3,307 square foot, new commercial building for the property located at 1510 E. 7th Street. The area is zoned as C-1 or “Highway Commercial District.” As such, as sit-down and drive through would be considered permitted uses under the City’s Zoning Ordinance. Lund says the parking requirements are the only area the Commission may wish to review. The site plans shows there will be 19 parking stalls and two handicap stalls. The Ordinance as it is written, is vague on the total number of parking spaces required, according to John Lund.

In other business, the P&Z will discuss regulations for Civic and Institutional Signage in non-commercial zones. It seems the City has recently had issues with a local church in  a residential zone, and their desired signage. Currently, signs in residential zones have restrictive sign regulations, according to Lund. Public agencies, schools, churches and museums are all permitted uses in such zones. Lund notes most of the existing signage on such buildings are not in conformance with the Zoning Ordinance, but have not conflicted with the surrounding residential property.

The Commission’s final order of business is to discuss Grain Bin Clearance Guidelines. Lund says the City has received notice from AMU regarding grain bin regulations. Lund says he will review both the signage and GBC regulations before reporting back to the Commission with recommendations based on other Iowa zoning codes.