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Developer seeks waiver of sidewalk requirement for Industrial Parkway expansion at 1308 Industrial Parkway
Summary
The owner of a proposed industrial expansion at 1308 Industrial Parkway asked the council for a waiver of the city’s sidewalk requirement because the planned frontage would not connect to an established pedestrian network and because of grading and stormwater impacts.
A developer proposing to expand an existing industrial property at 1308 Industrial Parkway asked the Walnut Grove City Council to consider a waiver of the city’s sidewalk requirement for a short frontage segment.
Planning staff explained the city’s land-development ordinance requires sidewalks in certain locations, including within a half-mile of schools. The property at 1308 Industrial Parkway lies near a hospital and across from an existing sidewalk on the opposite side of Guthrie Cemetery Road; staff said the new sidewalk on the applicant’s frontage would not connect to an existing sidewalk network and cited grading and stormwater impacts.
John Ford, who identified himself as the property owner and applicant, described his business expansion and said his design team had worked to preserve natural vegetation and avoid large retaining walls. He said the planned two-story metal-and-brick building would include secured warehouse space and offices, that the project would cost roughly $2 million and that the design aims to preserve existing natural drainage rather than require a “walled pond” in front of the cemetery-facing portion of the lot.
Ford said the employee entrance would be located on Arlington District Parkway and that the Guthrie Cemetery driveway would be used primarily for vans and commercial traffic. He also said he is coordinating sewer/septic and fire-hydrant needs with Walton County and the fire marshal.
Planning staff asked council to discuss whether to require the sidewalk on the property or to accept a waiver given the lack of immediate pedestrian connectivity and the cost and engineering challenges. Council members discussed safety at the Industrial Parkway curve near the high school, the city’s desire to become more walkable over time and options for phasing or escrowing sidewalk construction. One councilmember proposed placing a timeline or condition on the project to require sidewalk installation when adjacent parcels develop or when the city secures a grant for ADA-compliant connections.
No final council action was taken during the work session. Staff said the sidewalk-waiver request and site-plan materials would be placed on the upcoming council meeting agenda for formal consideration.
What’s next: Staff will provide the full site plan, justification letter from the applicant’s engineer and options for conditions (grading, escrow, phased installation) prior to the council meeting.
