Spring Hill council adopts taller M1 industrial height limit, keeps current rear setback

The Spring Hill City Council on July 24 approved an amendment to the city zoning code that sets a 144‑foot maximum building height in the M1 General Industrial District and retains the existing 20‑foot rear setback instead of the planning commission’s recommended 25 feet.

City staff presented the proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 17 (M1 General Industrial District) and said the original staff recommendation had been to allow up to 188 feet to accommodate modern industrial and logistics buildings. “Staff had originally recommended to amend the maximum height to 188 feet which is 15 storeys,” the presenting staff member said during the discussion.

Planning Commission members at their July 8 hearing recommended reducing the cap from the staff’s 188‑foot proposal to 144 feet (roughly 12 stories) and asked for a 25‑foot rear setback. During the council discussion several members said they favored the 144‑foot height but expressed concerns about increasing the rear setback from the current standard. One council member urged caution about pushing buildings closer to the road if the rear setback were increased.

After discussion the council voted to adopt ordinance 2025‑09 amending Sections 17.33 (M1 General Industrial District), 17.338 (Property Development Standards), and 17.348 (Height, Area and Yard Exceptions) to create a 144‑foot maximum height while keeping a 20‑foot rear setback. The ordinance passed by roll call vote recorded as 4–0.

Council members said they will address broader zoning classification questions — including whether to add an M2 district for heavier industrial uses — as part of a separate work session and future comprehensive‑plan review.

The council’s action overturns the planning commission’s 25‑foot setback recommendation and implements the revised height limit; city staff noted the amendment follows land‑use safeguards that will be applied during project review.