A Cold Spring zoning text amendment could lead to the development of a Culver’s restaurant in the city.
Cold Spring is considering amending its special development area zone, also known as the SDA zone. The city council held a special council meeting with a public hearing last week to get feedback on the change. The conversation during the public hearing focused on drive-throughs and the minimum two-acre requirement for a drive-through establishment in the SDA zone.
The council ceremoniously voted 3-2 against the changes during the first reading. A second reading, which will be held at the next Cold Spring City Council meeting on Nov. 10, is required to pass or fail the motion.
“It’s a first reading, so what I would suggest is if you have ideas, you make those changes and then when it comes to a second reading, put it out there,” Cold Spring City Attorney Brandon Voelker said.
One aspect of the conversation was that if the text amendments were passed, it would pave the way for a Culver’s restaurant in the city.
Bob Mount, Principal with Cosmo LLC, owns the property at the corner of U.S. 27 and Winters Lane with his business partner, Brandon Martin. The pair seeks to develop a Culver’s restaurant at that location if the language is changed. This particular development has been in discussion since 2022.
The purpose of the special development area zone according to the city zoning ordinance is: it allows small-scale, mixed-use, architecturally unified development that connects nearby residential areas, parks, schools, and public facilities through pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle access; promotes safe and efficient movement; enhances adjacent areas without negative impact; and supports public health, safety, and general welfare.
“I do believe that Culver’s, which is our primary focus, we’ve developed other properties and other businesses, but this is our primary focus; these are good partners to the communities,” Mount said.
Mount said Culver’s is a good community partner because it works with schools on reward programs that recognize students. He said they also do fundraising activities and partnerships with local churches and other community organizations.
“The tax base increase, obviously, with the development that we would propose, would be significant,” Mount said. “Increase the tax base for the community, encourages community growth and I think changes what is currently sort of an undesirable condition for the particular piece of property that we own.”
Former Cold Spring Mayor Mark Stoeber said the SDA zone is a forward-thinking document and was created to counteract “wholesale uncontrolled commercial development” that was occurring around the area.
“What I’d like to recommend to the council tonight is do not change the conditional use acreage to one and a half,” Stoeber said. “Leave that language alone.”
He also asked the council to keep the setbacks at 50 feet rather than the suggested 35 feet. Setbacks are the required minimum distances between a building and a property line or street.
Cold Spring resident Linda Williams said that if the council changes the zone, it would be irresponsible government.
“Residents have been forced to come up here four times in the last two months to discuss this, and we shouldn’t have to,” Williams said. “The zoning is there, and it was put in place to protect this area and keep it as a bedroom community with the amenities of a big city.”
Cold Spring Councilmember Chris Ampfer voted in favor of the zoning text amendments.
“I just don’t think there’s any magic number with two acres or one and a half acres,” Ampfer said. “If it helps some businesses in the city and comes into the city, then we’re pro-growth.”