Concrete‑block manufacturer seeks industrial rezoning near Windsor Heights; commission raises buffer and traffic questions

An applicant on March 18 asked the Madison County Planning Commission to rezone a 12.64‑acre parcel from business to industrial to permit a concrete‑block manufacturing facility, citing an existing operation in Clark County and plans for a new production building and landscaping buffers.

Ryan Kinsey of Carter Engineering appeared as the applicant’s representative on behalf of L.J. Evertz, Inc.; planning staff described the proposed owner as Steven Banks. According to application materials read into the record, the project would construct a 24,000‑square‑foot manufacturing building, a separate 3,200‑square‑foot storage structure, and employ about 10 people; estimated construction cost in the materials was listed as $9,000,000. The parcel is accessed by a 50‑foot easement from an adjoining property, and the site abuts the Windsor Heights subdivision.

Planning staff noted the parcel is in the Dallasboro character area, where commercial uses are encouraged but industrial uses are not explicitly recommended, so the rezoning would be inconsistent with the comp plan guidance for that character area. Commissioners sought more detail on potential noise, dust, truck traffic and screening. Staff and the applicant said the site plan includes a perimeter landscape buffer, a retention pond and a 10‑foot setback with additional landscaping intended to separate the facility from nearby homes; staff suggested conditions requiring engineered plans and landscaping details could be added if the commission moved to approve.

Several commissioners asked whether the applicant currently operates a similar facility; staff confirmed the applicant has an operation in Clark County and included an illustrative example from that site in the packet. Commissioners also asked whether the neighborhood had been contacted; staff reported no responses from neighbors to date but said Commissioner Frank May had been in contact with subdivision residents.

No formal rezoning vote appears in the provided transcript excerpt. Commissioners requested additional details on buffers, truck routing and dust control if the case moves forward.

Ending: The commission took testimony and technical questions, and staff indicated the case would return with additional material or recommended conditions if the commissioners direct further review.