Metropolitan Council Meeting – August 19, 2026
Metropolitan Council Meeting – August 19, 2026
The Metropolitan Council held its only meeting of the week on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, to consider several zoning and land use items. The council approved routine items and deferred two contested proposals: a rezoning to allow a restaurant with alcohol sales on Greenwell Springs Road and a conditional use permit for a sand and gravel mining operation on Pettit Road. The meeting drew significant public testimony, especially regarding the restaurant proposal.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1 & 2 (PA4-26 and Case 23-26, Scenic Highway): Amended the comprehensive land use plan from neighborhood center to industrial and rezoned from heavy commercial to light industrial. Approved 9-0. The property owner, Bar Malenson with SLC, spoke in support, stating the change would allow better use along Highway 61.
- Item 4 (Case 24-26, Peeler/Page Street): Rezoned from single-family residential to two-family residential. Approved 9-0.
- Item 5 (Case 26-26, O'Hammond Highway): Rezoned from rural to neighborhood commercial. Approved 9-0.
Item 3: Greenwell Springs Road Rezoning (CAB1 – Restaurant with Alcohol)
This item sought to rezone 9798 Greenwell Springs Road from light commercial (C1) to commercial alcohol beverage restaurant (CAB1), allowing on-premise alcohol sales with a requirement that at least 51% of monthly sales come from food. The applicant, Mr. Benock (also referred to as Kabodi), stated he had invested $3 million of his retirement savings into the property, which was formerly a Taco Bell, and plans to open a sit-down restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner until 10 p.m. He argued the area lacks dining options and needs revitalization.
Public Comments & Testimony:
- Supporters: The applicant and another business owner expressed support, emphasizing the need for economic development. The applicant noted he had earlier support from the mayor and council.
- Opponents: Multiple residents from the Park Forest neighborhood spoke against the rezoning. They cited concerns about increased crime, noise, traffic, and property value decline. They presented a petition with 276 signatures, photos of a nearby after-hours club that caused problems, and noted the proximity of a school (200 students). Some expressed support for a restaurant but opposed alcohol. Opponents also highlighted an adjacent outdoor storage facility that they consider an eyesore.
Council Discussion: Planning Director Ryan clarified that CAB1 requires 51% food sales and is subject to ABC enforcement. Councilman Hearst (district 5) supported the applicant, argued the area needs economic development, and noted that 204 online public comments were received (138 in support, 66 opposed). He moved to defer the item for 60 days to allow a public meeting at the Goodwood Library to gather broader community input. Several council members expressed concerns about alcohol and neighborhood opposition, while Councilman Moak argued the item was being judged differently than similar restaurant projects in other districts and made a substitute motion to approve, which lacked a second.
Outcome: Motion to defer for 60 days passed; Councilman Moak opposed.
Item 6: Pettit Road Sand and Gravel Mining Operation
This item (MCUP 1-26) proposed a sand and gravel mining operation at 7740 and 9400-9500 Pettit Road. The item had previously been deferred to August 17 and then recommended for approval by the Planning Commission. Councilman Kenny moved to defer again for 60 days for further due diligence based on inquiries from residents and the applicant. The applicant, Heath Morris of Dirt Co., spoke, explaining that the company had been operating for 12 years under the assumption they had correct permits, but shut down voluntarily in October when they discovered deficiencies. He stated the company wants to be a good neighbor and has obtained signatures from nearby property owners.
Outcome: Motion to defer for 60 days passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Items 1, 2, 4, 5: Approved 9-0.
- Item 3 (Greenwell Springs): Deferred 60 days to an October meeting; Councilman Hearst will host a public meeting to gather additional input.
- Item 6 (Pettit Road): Deferred 60 days to the October meeting for further review.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome everybody to the Metropolitan Council's only meeting this Wednesday, August 19, 2026. I'm gonna call the meeting to order. Ashley, do we have a quorum? We have a quorum. All right. Items uh one and two, we're gonna we're gonna have to take these together. Item one does require eight votes. PA4-26, 13118, 1311, 122, 13, 126, 13130, and 13040 Scenic Highway to amend the comprehensive land use plan from neighborhood center to industrial located on the east side of Scenic Highway south of Rafmeyer Road, Council District 2 Kenny Commission Action Motion to approve carry 9-0. Case 23-26, 13118-1312, 13126, 13130, and 13040 Scenic Highway to rezone from heavy commercial to limited residential to light industrial on property located on the east side of Scenic Highway South of Rafemire Road, Council District 2 Kenny Commission action motion to approve carry 9-0. Anyone here wishing to speak on items 1 and 2? I can, sir. My name is Bar Malenson with SLC. Um we're the owner. We're trying to uh I think more or less fix a uh an old zoning uh designation that's been around for a very long time. Uh the properties uh been used for a lot of different uses uh prior to our purchase of the property. Um but we think that uh this zoning change would allow for better use uh along Highway 61 and uh so we we went through the planning commission, everything went okay. With if uh y'all have any questions, I'd be more than happy to uh answer them as best I can. Anyone else wishing to speak on these items? See no go to council. We have a motion motion by councilman Kenny, second by councilman Dunn Jr. Any opposition? Motion carries. All right, Councilman Hurst, I believe is on his way. He asked if we could hold off. So we will try on items three and four. Uh we're gonna go to item five. Case 26-26, 14832, O'Hammond Highway to rezone from rural to neighborhood commercial on property located on south side of O'Hamm and Highway west of Lake My Drive. Council District 4 mote commission to action motion to approve carry 90. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? See no go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Moak, second by councilwoman Harris. Any opposition? Motion carries. Item six. Um MCUP 1-26-7740 and 9400-9500 Pettit Road. Proposed sand and gravel mining operation located on south and west side of Pettit Road, north of Comey Drive, Council District 2 Kenny, commission action, motion to defer to August 17th and carried 9-0. Uh and then they had the motion carried 6-0 at the most previous at the most recent meeting uh to approve. Again, there's been a request to defer this item for 60 days. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? See now, we'll go to council. Councilman Kenny, just real quickly. Um, we're gonna defer this item for 60 days. My office and I just want to make sure we thoroughly look um through all the details. We receive a lot of inquiries information, um, not only from the applicant, but from a lot of residents as well. So we just want to make sure we have enough time um to do our due diligence, thorough, transparent information, and so my office could make a very thorough decision at that time. Motion to approve for 60 days. Okay. Defer for 60 days. Okay.
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