Juan the Dino and All of Zoomars Proposal Headed for City Council

The Planning Commission Tuesday reversed its partial OK of plans to update Zoomars Petting Zoo; now the whole proposal – including Juan the dinosaur – will come before the City Council next month.

In January, the Planning Commission nixed a plan that would include the Apatosaurus statue. But in February, on 3-2 vote, the commission gave the green light for other improvements, including Native American huts, shade structures and a Western façade.

A technicality brought Zoomar’s plans back to the Planning Commission on Tuesday to crystalize the Feb. 12 decision. But one of the three who were in favor, Tim Neely, was absent.

The final vote ended up being 2-2, with Commissioners Robert Williams and Sheldon Cohen against, just like the first time around. A tie serves as a vote of denial, said Bill Ramsey, assistant director of Community Development Services.  

Before the tally, Cohen noted that the vote was likely to end in a tie. But Ramsey said Zoomars owner Carolyn Franks just wanted a decision so that she could take the entire project to the City Council.

Franks was at the meeting Tuesday but did not address the commission.

The City Council is scheduled to consider the proposal in its entirety – including Juan – April 2. 

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