Manufacturing districts: draft allows outdoor storage only as accessory special use; commissioners, businesses and owner reps press for clarity

Owners and their representatives pressed the commission May 25 to allow more outdoor operations and storage in Westmont’s manufacturing districts, while staff and commissioners said the draft will retain review controls and treat outdoor storage and operations as accessory activities requiring special‑use approval.

What was discussed

- Public comments: David Meek, representing owners of 751 Blackhawk Drive, and attorney Mark Daniel (written comments) urged the commission to permit outdoor operations, outdoor parking and outdoor storage more permissively in the heavier manufacturing (M) and limited manufacturing (M1) districts. Meek asked staff to treat outdoor parking and storage as permitted where screening and performance standards can mitigate impacts.

- Staff response: Planning staff and the attorney explained that the current M district historically disallows many outdoor operations; the M1 district had been created earlier to accommodate some existing light-industrial outdoor activities. The draft explicitly allows accessory outdoor storage/operations in M and M1 as a special use subject to screening, distance requirements to residential zones and other performance standards. Staff said making outdoor storage a by‑right primary use (i.e., allowing standalone outdoor-storage lots) would not be consistent with the village’s relatively small manufacturing districts and would be incompatible where residential parcels are close by.

- Fleet vehicle parking: The draft includes a new, narrow accommodation for light-duty fleet vehicles (for example, vans used by contractors or small service fleets) on nonresidential properties; staff said heavy commercial vehicles and tractor-trailers would not be permitted as simple, by-right fleet parking. Commissioners and staff agreed to add or clarify a definition so "fleet" cannot be read to allow large commercial truck storage where the draft does not intend it.

Ending

Staff held that special-use review is warranted given the proximity of manufacturing parcels to residential property in Westmont and said they will incorporate clearer definitions and screening/distance language in the June 11 revision. Owners who offered comments said they will provide written, site-specific proposals before the next hearing.