Plan commission approves outdoor racking and storage plan for Border States at Woodgate Court

The Plan Commission approved site and building plan changes that will allow Border States Industries to install a 16‑foot‑high exterior racking system and concrete pad at its property at N29W23606 Woodgate Court East.

Staff reported Border States already had prior approval for outdoor storage and that the new proposal would organize existing finished‑goods inventory by using cantilever racks, lifting material off the ground to increase usable yard capacity. The proposed racks sit roughly 35 feet from the property line and are screened from adjacent residential areas by a six‑foot berm topped with a 10‑foot privacy fence. Staff recommended approval conditioned on repairing or replacing damaged fence slats and meeting standard stormwater and site‑plan requirements.

A Border States representative described the items to be stored as “finished goods” already on site and said rack storage will make site circulation better by organizing materials higher and closer to the property’s rear yard.

Following brief public comment and clarification that the racks are at‑grade cantilever systems (not tall structures beyond the fence line), a motion to approve the site plan passed unanimously.

Commissioners asked staff to ensure replacement of broken slats and continued screening consistent with the 2004 outdoor‑storage decision that originally allowed similar activity on the site.