Planning Commission approves warehouse expansion at 528–528A E. Washington for BAC Distributing

The South Russell Village Planning Commission voted to approve BAC Distributing’s request to expand warehouse storage at 528 East Washington Street to include adjacent units (524H and 528A East Washington Street).

Applicant David Gilbert, representing BAC Distributing, described the expansion as additional warehousing for mattress components and related inventory; he said the site would not be used for mattress manufacturing. “This is just for… component parts,” Gilbert said, and told commissioners the business already occupies several buildings in the Knowles Industrial Parkway area.

Gilbert said the gymnastics tenant had vacated one unit and another unit would become available March 1. He and commissioners discussed dock access, interior connectivity between units and the presence of loading docks. Gilbert said the site includes loading docks useful to his operation and that a blocked third dock might be reopened for use.

The commission and applicant discussed fire-safety requirements. The applicant said he had spoken with the fire official (identified in the record as Sean), and that final occupancy would be contingent on the fire marshal’s inspection. Commissioners also raised parking and potential showroom/retail use in the front area; Gilbert said the space was primarily intended for warehousing and that parking in the area was limited.

The motion to approve was carried by recorded roll call. Commissioners voting in favor as recorded at the hearing were Ruth (last name not specified), Lisa (last name not specified), Mark Porter, Grant (last name not specified) and Greg (last name not specified). The approval was contingent on required inspections and any conditions noted by the fire marshal.

The applicant was encouraged to coordinate with the fire marshal and the village on any dock reopening and to confirm parking arrangements under lease terms before occupancy of the additional units.