By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

After the Hays Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request to put a metal scrap facility near 13th and General Custer, city staff re-examined the zoning map by the request of Commissioner Kent Steward. After studying the area, city manager Toby Dougherty recommended that commissioners approve rezoning 23 areas of the city.

The issue was discussed at Thursday evening’s Hays City Commission work session.

There are two ways to rezone an area. One is to encourage property owner to submit a request to rezone an area, and the other is to change the zoning regulations and map. Both procedures require a public hearing and having the planning commission make a recommendation to the commission.

Due to the fact that the city is currently in the process of rewriting their zoning regulations with a consulting firm, which will include rezoning several areas, City Manager Toby Dougherty recommended commissioners wait until the new regulations are presented.

“If you were to make the suggestion to property owners, it’s done on a case-by-case basis,” Dougherty said. “If you were to pick 10 properties, then you would have to submit 10 separate cases. … If you do it the other way, it’s done as just one process.”

Dougherty said he expects the recommendation from the planning commission and consultants in approximately a year.