Plan commission forwards Bell Ambulance zoning map amendment and approves site plan for new depot at Renaissance Boulevard

The Village of Mount Pleasant Plan Commission on Feb. 19 voted to forward a zoning map amendment and approved a conditional site plan for a proposed Bell Ambulance depot at 930 Renaissance Boulevard.

Robin, the planning staff presenter, said Chuck Westerton applied on behalf of a potential future owner (identified in packet materials as Get It Off My Plate 3) and that the applicant seeks rezoning of a 2.6-acre parcel from C4 (General Industrial) to C2 (Neighborhood Business) so the proposed one‑story ambulance facility would not be subject to a two‑story/20‑foot additional requirement in the C4 district. Robin said the downzone was requested alongside site plan application SP2426 for construction of an ambulance depot and that the use — an ambulance depot — would be allowed by right in either district; the downzone primarily removes the two‑story requirement.

The commission’s nut graf: commissioners endorsed the change and approved the site plan after staff confirmed the applicant had met or was addressing several code conditions, including transparency of the main garage door, outdoor lighting specification, sidewalk/in‑lieu options, and requests for alternative compliance on parapet requirements tied to possible future rooftop solar.

Robin noted the parcel is adjacent to other medical and freight facilities and that staff did not prepare a fiscal analysis; she said the assessor likely would classify the property as taxable because Bell Ambulance is a private company. Robin also said the applicant had received one public comment from a nearby business raising concerns about ambulance sirens and customer disruption; commissioners and staff referenced prior experience that siren impacts from a 24/7 operations base had been limited in practice.

Site-plan details: Robin said the building would operate 24/7 and include a garage area; staff confirmed the main garage door will be glass and that the applicant had provided required transparency measurements and updated outdoor-lighting specs (3,000 Kelvin). The applicant requested alternative compliance on a parapet requirement for the flat roof; Robin said the applicant intends to consider rooftop solar in the future and that screening and alternative compliance are being reviewed by the community development director.

Architect Chuck Westerton spoke at the microphone to confirm elevations and sign placement and said the station identification signage will face east toward Ascension and the park entrance. He introduced himself: “I’m the architect for Bell Ambulance...My name is Chuck Westerton.”

When commissioners moved to forward ZMA-2051 to the Village Board subject to staff comments, the motion passed by voice vote. The commission then moved, seconded and approved Site Plan SP2426 subject to the end‑note conditions; staff will continue to review final sign packages, sidewalk/in‑lieu arrangements and any alternative compliance submittals.

Ending: The zoning amendment will proceed to the Village Board and the site plan will require final administrative sign-offs and any alternative compliance approvals before building permits are issued.