City Council Approves Zoning Change

The Sidney City Council Tuesday approved changing zoning of a parcel known as 1101 Greenwood Road from Agricultural to Light Manufacturing and Industrial Zone.

The change came at the request of new owners of the property, Kenneth and Jamie Starman of Gill, Colo. Starman said he would like the option of outside storage, which is not allowed in its current zoning definition.

“Right now, it is going to be a rental property,” Ken Starman said when asked about his plans for the property. “We’d like the option of storing outside.”

The property is located north of the Pepsi facility and south of Blackhills Energy. Starman said he already has a potential renter, a construction company, but he needs the proper zoning to complete the agreement.

“We’re here to make a move to your town,” he said.

Sidney’s Chief Building Inspector Kevin Kubo told the council no objections were recorded for the proposal. All property owners within a 300-foot radius of the property were notified of the proposed change, Kubo said.

The zoning change was approved with a 3-1 vote; vice-mayor Joe Arterburn was absent and Mayor Roger Galloway voted against the proposal.

In other business, Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard presented two LB840 funding projects. G.L. Huyett has a new office in Sidney and plans to expand its staff. G.L. Huyett was founded in Minneapolis, Kan., in 1899 and told to Timothy and Carol O’Keefe in 1992. The O’Keefes grew the company from one employee to one of the most important distributors of engineered and non-threaded fasteners in North America. The company has been at 1041 Ninth Ave. Sidney since April 1.

They intend to significantly expand the company’s website, which will require additional talent for technical development and product management, according to Norgard’s memo to council. The Sidney office could expand to 10 or more, the memo said.

The second proposal is for funding 308Ag’s planned expansion. The company has a business office in Sidney and the physical location is on Highway 385 just north of Sidney. 308Ag has partnered with AgVenture, CropMetrics, DeKalb and La

Crossed, offering services including custom application, cover crop, liquid fertilizer application and field scouting. The company plans to expand their presence to a 250-mile radius, and expand staff by six and payroll by $286,400 over eight years.

Both proposals were approved by council.

Norgard also presented proclamations on Economic Development Week and May as Historic Preservation Month.

Finance Director David Scott also updated council on the City budget and on the Tax Increment Financing report.