Commission denies Demco rezoning at Oliver Wheat Road after residents cite character and master-plan concerns

Tommy Klein, representing Demco, asked the commission to rezone four lots on Oliver Wheat Road to C-1 so Demco could relocate an office, warehouse and laydown yard. Klein said the planned operation would not be open to the public and would serve as a base for storm responses and equipment storage.

Multiple residents who own lots directly across the road objected. Jesse Wheat and Kim Rogers said they purchased lots in what was represented to them as single-family residential development and that rezoning to commercial would change neighborhood character. Commissioners noted that the existing master plan and the draft future land-use map do not designate the area for commercial development and that a rezoning could set a precedent inconsistent with long-range planning goals.

Planning commissioners and staff also distinguished a substation (pre-existing industrial use) from the proposed Demco office/yard: a substation is a largely passive infrastructure use while a Demco yard with vehicles, laydown and employees represents an active commercial operation. Commissioners worried about traffic, intensity of use and compatibility with the surrounding residential/agricultural area.

A motion to deny the rezoning passed. Commissioners said applicants may look for parcels already designated for commercial use or await adoption of the future land-use map, which staff said is nearing adoption, before pursuing a different site.