In a recent government meeting, representatives from Cobb Cole law firm, along with clients Tim Menco and Lehid, presented a revised development proposal aimed at diversifying land use in the city. The proposal, which has been in the works for over two years, initially focused on storage facilities but has evolved to include medical and professional office spaces, responding to city officials' concerns about the loss of commercial areas to storage and car wash businesses.

Mark Watts, representing the development team, expressed gratitude to city staff for their collaboration throughout the 14-month review process. He highlighted the importance of adapting the project to meet community needs, particularly in expanding medical office space, which was identified as a necessity during discussions with the city’s economic development team.

The proposal includes a mix of uses, such as general office space, veterinary clinics, and dental laboratories, alongside the newly added RV and boat storage facilities. This flexibility aims to accommodate various potential tenants, including new healthcare providers entering the market.

Chris Rowley, the project engineer, addressed concerns regarding stormwater management, stating that while full calculations are pending, the design will ensure compliance with local regulations and prevent off-site discharge. The stormwater system will be designed to handle significant rainfall events, maintaining flow from adjacent properties to avoid flooding.

The meeting also touched on operational hours for the proposed storage units and RV parking, with no definitive hours established yet, although a 24-hour operation may be considered.

Overall, the development proposal reflects a collaborative effort to enhance the city’s commercial landscape while addressing community needs for diverse services. The project is now set to move forward with further discussions and approvals from the city commission.