The Crookston Planning Commission convened on Tuesday night at City Hall council chambers to discuss a rezoning and variance request from a local business in Crookston. The business seeking the rezoning and variance is Chico’s Transport, owned by Rosa, Lauro, and Robert Gutierrez, and located at 442 Marin Avenue. Currently, the business faces challenges with insufficient storage space for large trucks and conducting oil changes, especially during the cold winter months. Crookston Building Official Greg Hefta stated that light maintenance tasks like oil changes could be better performed in a warmer indoor area, which was previously done on the front of the lot.
Chico’s Transport proposed to be rezoned from an I-2 (light industrial zone) to an R-2 (residential family housing zone). Hefta explained that the previous property owner permitted the change from I-2 to R-2 to accommodate a neighbor’s need for residential housing. However, this transition hindered Chico’s Transport from expanding their commercial operations without the zoning change. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended the rezoning and variance requests for Chico’s Transport, perceiving it as a beneficial move for both the city and the local business.
Hefta observed that granting the rezoning request would provide Chico’s Transport with the necessary property to support their operations, while also expanding the city’s tax base. Additionally, it would eliminate a residence that may have needed demolition. The Planning Commission’s recommendation for Chico’s Transport will be presented to the Crookston City Council at their upcoming meeting on Monday, April 22, at the City Hall council chambers.