Commission backs conversion of underused commercial parcel to light‑industrial warehouses, approves reduced parking variance

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended rezoning about 38 acres at the Yanmar property (Highway 92 and Old Alabama Road) from General Commercial (GC) to Light Industrial (LI) to allow two warehouse buildings, and approved a concurrent variance to substantially reduce the parking requirement.

Staff presented a plan showing two warehouses—about 200,000 and 171,000 square feet—served by the existing commercial entrance on Highway 92 and internal campus circulation. The applicant proposed 287 auto parking spaces and a larger number of trailer parking spaces; by the ordinance the minimum parking calculation for the GC designation would be about 742 spaces. The applicant argued the warehouse uses will generate far fewer auto-parked visitors than the GC minimums anticipate and that a security checkpoint and controlled access would limit vehicles on-site.

Multiple staff departments and neighbors reviewed the plan. Staff recommended approval if the applicant installs a sound attenuation wall adjacent to Building A, as shown on the applicant’s exhibit, to mitigate noise at the existing adjacent properties. Parks Huff (applicant counsel) emphasized synergy with nearby industrial uses and noted existing grade separation and vegetative buffers; he also described community meetings with neighbors and a proposed 14-foot sound wall and evergreen plantings.

The commission voted to recommend the rezoning to LI with the staff‑recommended condition that a sound wall be installed adjacent to Building A, and approved the variance to reduce the minimum parking requirement from 742 to 287 spaces.

Next steps: the recommendation and variance will go to the County Commission for final action. The applicant must meet construction, stormwater and related permitting requirements and implement the sound wall and landscaping as required by the conditions.