Planners say no to video store

The pause button was hit on a proposal to bring a Family Video store to Ottawa.

Ottawa planners, on a 7-0 vote Wednesday, recommended that city commissioners deny a request to rezone 834 S. Main St., 840 S. Main St., and 109 W. Ninth St. to a general commercial zoning district. City staff also recommended denial of the rezoning.

Levi Dinkla, regional manager for Family Video, requested a rezoning from an R-1 and C-1 zoning district to a C-3 district for the purpose of building and operating a video store.

“We just want to be here,” he said. “We think a lot of people want us to be here.”

Lisa Turner, Overbrook, owner of the two Main Street properties, said she’s tried to sell her properties residentially, but there’s been no interest.

“At this time, this is my best option,” she said. “I believe it is a good thing for the town and, obviously, a good thing for me.”

The other property seller is the Ottawa Community Church, Ninth and Main streets. Representatives from the church also spoke out in favor of the rezoning and Family Video Wednesday.

But some who spoke Wednesday night said they don’t want a video store in that particular location.

David Rector, 119 W. Ninth St., cited concerns with having a business and accompanying traffic that close to his home and driveway.

“We appreciate any business that comes to Ottawa,” he said. “The problem is, it’s right next to our door.”

Don Morgan, 730 S. Main St., said he’d like to see the business move into a downtown storefront instead.

“I’m not opposed, per se, to the development of that corner, but I don’t think a video store is the way to go,” he said.

Dinkla said he’d accept a lower C-2 zoning classification.

However, four planners — Richard Jackson, Richard Warren, Gary Jones and Gregg Colbern — said they’d oppose a C-2 classification.

In other matters Wednesday, planners:

• Recommended that city commissioners approve a proposed street vacation in the 600 block of Birch Street.

• Recommended that commissioners approve a conditional use for the construction of a four-unit structure at 832 S. Oak St., and changes to regulations dealing with the location of fences in agricultural districts.

• Approved a resolution placing a moratorium for 120 days on the issuance of sign permits for mowing or flashing signs.

Herald staff writer Jodie Garcia can be e-mailed at jgarcia@ottawaherald.com.