By Fawn Porter/Staff Writer

With backing from the city planning commission, Mustang may be one step closer to a new country store.

Planning commissioners Tuesday night green lighted the down-zoning application for a 2.32-acre tract of land at 1100 E. state Highway 152 from I-1, or light industrial, to C-5, or commercial intensive.

The applicant, Rob Crosby, is planning to build an America’s Country Store, which sells wares such as feed, fertilizer, pet supplies, equestrian supplies and seasonal lawn and garden items.

City Planner Melissa Helsel said staff recommended approval of the down-zoning application because it is surrounded by land with similar zonings.

The long-range comprehensive plan calls for commercial retail in this area, or zonings of C-3 to C-5. Helsel said the down-zoning request conformed to the long-range plan.

Helsel said during certain seasons, the store’s owners may need to sell goods outdoors — such as lawn and garden items, which is expressly permitted in a C-5 zoning.

When asked why a C-4 zoning wouldn’t be appropriate, City Manager David Cockrell said while many of the proposed country store’s uses would fall into that zoning, under the most technical review of city codes, some of the owner’s proposed uses could exceed what is allowed in C-4.

Cockrell also said city staff may need to examine what is allowed in C-4 zonings and ease the restrictions so future applicants would “feel more comfortable” applying for C-4 zonings as opposed to C-5, which in future cases could allow many more types of businesses to be constructed.

The proposed America’s Country Store would be about 12,000 square feet and would have entrances and exits on state Highway 152 and Cedar Springs.

The application will appear on the City Council agenda Tuesday.