Sidney alters zoning, parking regulations

The city council recently approved three ordinances which changed some city regulations and allowances.

One raises height restrictions on buildings from 50 to 80 feet in C3 or heavy commercial zones, which would accommodate some new developments.

Another ordinance will allow a list of new approved activities in agricultural areas, including taxidermy, vineyards, crop production and orchards. These were all activities that the city thought should obviously be legal under zoning, but were somehow left off Sidney’s allowed uses charts.

Also to be allowed in agricultural zones, with the addition of a conditional use permit, are landscaping and nursery services, sand and gravel storage and communication towers and antennas. One mobile home per lot will be allowed on agricultural and agricultural/residential zones.

“We’re getting it tweaked to where it should be, I think,” said mayor Wendall Gaston.

The final ordinance will change the minimum width for off street parking to a nine foot width minimum instead of the city’s previous 10 feet, to bring it more in line with national standards.