By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays could soon be home to a new Tractor Supply Company retail store north of Interstate 70.

A public hearing for rezoning property in the Crawford Addition, located on the northwest corner of 48th and Roth, and the final plat of Crawford Addition were approved unanimously June 18 by the Hays Area Planning Commission.

Property owner Crawford Supply Co. has requested  annexation into the city limits and connection to city services, along with a zoning change from agriculture (A-L) to commercial general district (C-2).

The property abuts existing property zoned C-2.

According to information from Curtis Deines, Hays PIE Superintendent, the property has been used for agriculture production for many years. In May, the property owner began the process for developing the property.

“The property is currently being planned for development by Tractor Supply Company. City staff has been working with the developer for several months,” according to the city administrator’s memo to the Hays City Commission. “The annexation, rezoning, and plat have all gone through the Planning Commission with no issues.”

The annexation, zoning and platting will be reviewed by the Hays City Commission during its July 19 work session.

Other agenda items another review of the 2019 draft budget with specific discussion of funding to outside agencies.

During their first budget review, commissioners Sandy Jacobs, Ron Mellick and Mayor James Meier supported full funding – $100,000 – of the Fort Hays State University city scholarship program request.  The draft 2019 budget calls for $90,000 which was the amount funded in 2018.

Commissioners will also review a proposed bid award for a tower at the new fire/rescue training facility under construction in south Hays.

They will also discuss maintenance procedures of the city’s stormwater drainage system at the request of Vice Mayor Henry Schwaller.

The complete agenda is available here.

The work session begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.