By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays Area Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning and final plat for Langer Industrial Services on Monday.
Langer is a metal recycling business. It currently has a transfer station near the Vine, I-70 interchange in Hays.
The owner wishes to move and expand its operation in Hays.
Langer requested rezoning of land owned by Thomas D. and Joleen M. Arnhold at 1680 E. 10th St. from agricultural to I-2 heavy industrial.
Commissioners said the zoning fits with the industrial zoning around that location.
There is no plan to annex the 17.9 acre development into the city.
Pete Langer, Langer owner, said he hopes to add a rail spur to the property. Union Pacific has said the extension is possible, it's a matter of cost, he said.
"We think this is a really appropriate use for this piece of property," Langer said. "We think we're a pretty good fit for Hays and the community."
Langer said he sees his business as more of a processor than storage and tries to keep a clean facility.
"We wanted to do something on a smaller scale as an introduction to the community, and that's what the transfer facility did," he said.
The development will increase truck traffic to the area. Access to the salvage yard will be off of 10th Street.
The addition is near city sanitary sewer, but does not have an extension for city water at this time, according to the city planning report.
No one spoke against the development at the meeting.
The zoning request and plat will be discussed at the Hays City Commission work session on Jan. 20. It will be before the city commission for final approval on Jan. 27.