Developer seeks light-industrial rezoning for 180-acre Norman Bridge site; DOT access not yet resolved

VEFG Corp LLC told the Montgomery Planning Commission it is under contract to buy 180 acres on Norman Bridge Road and asked for a recommendation to rezone the site to M-1 (light industrial) to support an industrial park development. The rezoning request matters because the property is near existing industrial uses and planned transportation infrastructure; commissioners asked about access and utility capacity, and the applicant said those issues remain to be reviewed. Tyler Pham, speaking for the applicant, said the property is shown on the city’s future land use map as “flex employment” and that nearby uses include a CSX rail yard and Hyundai; the applicant said an industrial user would be sought after the site and zoning are secured. Pham said he had not yet discussed detailed access arrangements with the Alabama Department of Transportation and planned to do so after zoning and site control. He estimated the site sits roughly 1,000–1,100 feet south of the Hyundai Boulevard intersection. Commission members asked whether ALDOT review had occurred; staff and the applicant confirmed no formal DOT access approval had been obtained. Staff also noted that the property to the north is zoned M-1 with a QPROT (a qualifying protective note) and asked the commission to consider that context when reviewing the request. Motion and vote: The transcript records a motion to approve and a unanimous vote in favor of the rezoning recommendation. Next steps: The applicant said it would pursue utility and access discussions and seek an end user once the site controls and zoning are in place; the planning staff noted that a QPROT on adjacent property is relevant background for the council’s and staff’s review.