Commission clears Amazon accessory vehicle-inspection building; plan removes 22 parking spaces but retains ample parking

The Fenton Planning and Zoning Commission on May 6 recommended approval of a 1,450-square-foot automotive vehicle inspection (AVI) building for Amazon at 655 Assembly Parkway, finding the accessory structure and site changes consistent with the Planned Industrial Development (PID) zoning and city standards.

Staff said the small metal-sided inspection building would sit in the existing parking lot and would require removal of 22 parking spaces; staff noted the property would still have 715 parking spaces, well above the minimum required. Amy (staff member) said the building will be used by Amazon fleet vehicles that enter through the western driveway, circle into the inspection building, and then return to designated van parking, queuing or loading areas before exiting.

Derek Haddox of WGI, the project engineer, described the AVI building’s function: as vans drive through the building the system collects many images and sensor data to detect body damage, tire or lug-nut issues and other maintenance or safety items. "It takes thousands of pictures... and there’s sensors in there to detect all the AI sensors that kind of track your vehicle's progress," Haddox said. He added that the building is not a repair facility; it records inspection data and feeds maintenance workflows.

Staff’s recommended conditions required municipal zoning approval and a Saint Louis County building permit, MSD and fire-district review, and standard compliance with applicable City of Fenton codes. The commission approved the site plan and the motion passed on a roll-call vote with unanimous aye votes from commissioners and city officials present.

The city will require any minor plan changes requested by reviewing agencies to be administratively approved by the community development director and will enforce required permits before work begins.