Planning Commission postpones decision on National Fence open‑storage plan after neighborhood objections

The Warren City Planning Commission postponed a vote on a site plan for open storage of fencing materials at 22586 Ryan Road after multiple neighbors described ongoing noise, dust and drainage concerns behind their homes and asked the city to withhold approvals pending cleanup and mitigation.

The project petitioner, represented by project architect Jeffrey Graham and the company’s regional manager, said National Fence purchased the property about a year ago and has been operating a storage yard for temporary fence panels and related materials. Graham told the commission the firm agreed to most staff recommendations, including paving the driveway and constructing an 8‑foot greenbelt. He said the company would seek variances for gravel surfacing and for open storage in portions zoned R1P/R1C.

Neighbors submitted at least two written correspondences (one with about 50 signatures) and several residents spoke at the public hearing. Pamela Crown, who said she lives directly behind the site on Loag Avenue, described repeated noise and truck activity near the rear fences and said past arrangements had required a larger buffer. “None of their trucks or activity could come any closer than 50 foot from our fence,” Crown said, recounting an earlier compromise she said worked for both businesses and residents. She and other neighbors said flooding, dust and persistent noise have degraded quality of life.

Petitioner representatives said the prior operator was a concrete company whose operations generated similar impacts and that National Fence’s product is primarily stacked steel fence panels rather than manufacturing. The petitioner offered to restrict trucks and equipment from approaching closer than 50 feet to the rear property line and to put that commitment in writing; he said daily operations typically have people on site starting about 6:00 a.m., with loading and unloading concentrated early in the morning and work finishing in the afternoon.

Commissioner Ansar moved to deny the site plan, and Commissioner Hallowadi seconded that motion. The motion to deny did not pass on roll call. Later, Commissioner Duzay moved — supported by Commissioner Hock — to postpone the item to the November 17 Planning Commission meeting and to require the petitioner to meet with neighbors and report back; that postponement motion passed on roll call.

Planning staff’s written recommendation had identified required plan revisions (driveway dimensions, zoning map corrections, dimensioned open storage areas, lighting and irrigation notes, landscaping and an 8‑foot greenbelt adjacent to R1C zoning). Staff also identified variances likely needed from the Zoning Board of Appeals if open storage is to remain in areas zoned R1P/R1C, and recommended the owner deed the west 60 feet of the property to the City of Warren as part of a right‑of‑way request, along with a performance bond ($2,400) tied to an $80,000 improvement estimate.

The commission’s postponement sets a new hearing date and directs the petitioner to meet with neighbors and staff before Nov. 17 so outstanding operational and community concerns can be addressed or memorialized for the commission’s consideration.