MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake code amendment would allow establishment of consumer businesses in certain industrial zones.

The Moses Lake City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance that changes language in the city's municipal code to permit certain consumer oriented services in heavy industrial zones, as long as the Moses Lake Planning Commission first approves a conditional use permit.

The types of consumer services allowed under the ordinance amendment are intended to primarily serve the needs of the industrial district and its employees and not to attract a significant number of patrons from outside the zone, according to Community Development Director Gilbert Alvarado.

Examples of business allowed by the change include equipment sales and rentals, professional services, dry cleaning, restaurants, espresso stands, vehicle washes and convenience stores.

Some use types must be located on an arterial street or within 1,000 feet of similar types of uses, and only one service type would be permitted per parcel, the draft ordinance states.

"The (heavy industrial zone) was not established with the intention to allow commercial-type land uses within that zoning district," Alvarado stated in a letter to council. "However, the draft ordinance includes language that limits the potential of land use conflicts between industrial and commercial type land uses."

The amendment was prompted by a resident who requested city council allow a small-scale food service business in a heavy industrial zone.

City council and the planning commission initially endorsed the concept and directed staff to draft language allowing specific consumer services in the heavy industrial zones. A second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for March 27.