Business plan approved for Weiser impact area

Weiser’s north entry into town will take on the beginnings of a new look over the next several months, after a rezone change on a 2.7-acre parcel in the city’s impact area was approved by the Washington County Commissioners on Jan. 20.

 The property had been through a series of public hearings, with the City of Weiser approving the application under a C-3 zone. Washington County’s zoning ordinance doesn’t include a C-3, so the Jan. 20 hearing was a consideration for a C-2, including a recommendation for a development agreement.

 Testifying in favor of the rezone, Bryan and Nicki Dille told the commissioners they had purchased the property in mid-December from the original rezone applicant, Jon Walker.

 “I have been the owner of Dille Dental on Main Street in Weiser,” Bryan said. “Our plan is to build a dental office. We are going to make an addition onto it for Current Physical Therapy, where Kip Stromberg works. They’re going to be on this property with us.”

 Dille said the acreage will allow for additional health-related businesses to be added later.

 “A chiropractor, optometry, I don’t know yet at this point in time,” he said. “One of the core values at Dille Dental is to be a force for good, and I feel like this property will allow us to do that, to be able to better serve this community.”

 He said their building plans will not only help them functionally, but will be attractive as people drive into the city from the north.

 “It’s one of the first businesses that you’ll see coming into the city from the north,” Dille said. “And something that I guess Weiser as a whole can just be proud of when they see it. It’s what we’re hoping to have done, and just get this zoned accordingly so we can move forward.”

 Attending the hearing through the county’s zoom connection, Planning and Zoning attorney Will Herrington asked if the Dilles had any objections to signing a development agreement with the county.

 “The primary concern was storage buildings could go in, so a development agreement could limit the uses on the property,“ Herrington said.

 “I would have to see it,” Dille said. “But, storage units would be contrary to our plans.”

 Commissioner Nate Marvin said a development agreement would be worked out between them and the county “so it’s agreeable” for both parties.

 Before approving the application, Marvin verified there had been at least two culverts installed under Highway 95 to allow for city infrastructure expansion when its current route was built. Marvin was the city’s public works director at the time.

 He added that he doesn’t know now what the city’s current plans are for extending services to the east side of the highway there.

 Along with the zoning’s approval, Marvin also suggested the Dilles consult with the Planning and Zoning office regarding a FEMA flood plain designation of the area.

 The rezone garnered a unanimous approval from the board.