The Sellersburg Planning Commission on Aug. 18 recommended that the Town Council rezone 1017 Bean Road from B-3 (general business) to I-2 (general industrial) and approved a development plan to add trailer parking for LaValley Trucking.
The commission’s favorable recommendation on the rezoning was unanimous (5‑0). The development plan for the site — described by staff as 106 additional trailer parking spaces with room for 42 future spaces — received the planning commission’s approval after the applicant addressed Technical Review Committee (TRC) concerns about landscape buffering, floodplain constraints and lighting.
John Pasega, a landscape architect with OHM Advisors representing LaValley, told commissioners the rezoning would consolidate several tax parcels under one industrial zoning to align the site with the owner’s existing industrial parcels. Pasega said the plan calls for controlled access, a gated entrance, and a layout intended to minimize through traffic. “What we are also proposing is that after this action, should it all be the same zone, then he would consolidate the properties down to 1 tax number,” Pasega said.
Staff reported the development plan proposes 106 trailer parking spaces plus 42 future spaces and a 50‑foot natural vegetative buffer along the adjacent residential lot, supplemented with semi‑evergreen plantings. Pasega said a tree survey found 95 trees already in the buffer; the proposal adds approximately 68 evergreens and about 101 shrubs to satisfy screening requirements without disturbing an existing wetland area or floodplain where a berm would otherwise be required. Staff told the commission the TRC held a technical review on Aug. 12 and provided a favorable recommendation to the planning commission.
Neighbor Doug Pixley, who owns the northern boundary property, said his principal concern is existing lighting directed toward his lot. He asked that new fixtures include shields so light does not “bleed over into the property.” Pasega and the applicant said they commissioned a photometric study that shows the design would limit light toward the neighbor; Pasega also agreed to provide shielding baffles on fixtures if necessary. Commissioners emphasized coordination with the airport and federal lighting rules; the applicant said FAA‑required red obstruction lights already exist on the site and that coordination with the airport is ongoing.
Commissioners made two formal decisions: a unanimous favorable recommendation to the Town Council on the rezoning (to be considered by the council) and approval of the development plan at the meeting. Staff notes attached to the plan clarify that there will be no new buildings on the lot and that access to the subject lot from Bean Road will be reserved for emergency vehicles, with the main access routed through the existing business at 1128 Bean Road. The applicant also said the site will be used primarily to park trailers that will remain on site for extended periods — not a high‑frequency driver operation — while nearby plants are temporarily down for retooling.
The rezoning recommendation will proceed to the Town Council for final action; the approved development plan includes specific landscaping and lighting commitments the applicant must implement as shown in the plan and permit record.