County Commissioners are scheduled to vote on rezoning a property near Giant Springs State Park from light to heavy industrial during a special meeting Tuesday morning.

The commission held the public hearing last week with no comments given by members of the public, but postponed the vote so that Commissioner Jane Weber could participate in the discussion and vote. She was out of town last week.

County to consider another rezone to heavy industrial near Giant Springs park

The property is currently owned by Albert Kunesh who has a buy-sell agreement with Charles Mesler and they are requesting the zone change.

County planning board to consider rezoning 13-acres to heavy industrial

The 13-acre property is currently being rented to Jason Nichols Sprinklers, which installs lawn and garden sprinkler systems and provides landscaping design and construction.

Mesler said last week that he’s looking to do more development with businesses moving out of the city based on zoning decisions, such as the recent City Commission denial of a conditional use permit for M&D Construction.

M&D leaving 8th Avenue North location for site outside city limits

Mesler said no new development would move forward until the property was rezoned.

Commissioner Jim Larson said last week that it “seems like a good project.”

Commissioner Joe Briggs said the commission received an email from someone opposed to the rezoning.

Commissioners meet July 31 at 10:30 a.m. in their chambers at the courthouse annex at 325 2nd Ave. N.

If the rezone is approved, there’s a 30-day protest period before the change is finalized, according to the county.

The property borders a 13-acre parcel that was recently rezoned from I-1 to I-2.

County finalizes rezone of industrial property

The rezone will allow the sprinkler company to expand their business activities and allow for future industrial growth in the area, according to the application. It will also help the company bid on contracts, a similar issue that the neighboring property owners faced when government contracts required a heavy industrial zoning.

In April, County Commissioners finalized the rezoning of an adjacent parcel along the railroad track from I-1 to I-2.

The property owner requested that zone change after bidding on a contract that required his business be in a heavy industrial area, according to county planners.

“I get a little nervous when we are moving industrial further along,” said Commissioner Jane Weber during that meeting and voted against the rezoning.