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Board approves industrial rezoning for Gateway tire warehouse with conditions to preserve buffer and restrict outdoor storage
Summary
The county commission approved a rezoning to M‑2 heavy industrial for a proposal to build a large indoor tire distribution warehouse near the future Northwest 40 Ninth interchange. The developer agreed to store product inside, limit outdoor storage and preserve a wide vegetative buffer instead of constructing a masonry wall.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners on March 18 voted to rezone a multi‑acre property near the future Northwest 40 Ninth interchange to M‑2 (heavy industrial) for a wholesale tire distribution and logistics facility, subject to a set of voluntary restrictions offered by the developer.
Project specifics and developer commitments
The applicant — Gateway Properties — presented a plan for a roughly 300,000‑square‑foot indoor distribution building intended to store passenger, light‑truck and farm tires. Company representatives told the board that all tire stock would be stored inside the building and that outdoor storage would not be used because exposure to weather can void tire warranties and create other operational issues. The developer also proposed to preserve a broad band of existing trees along the property’s eastern edge and to install a security fence; staff and the applicant agreed a masonry wall would not be required provided the natural buffer is preserved and a security fence is maintained.
Why it mattered
The site is within a county commerce district near substantial warehouse and distribution uses and has frontage that provides convenient highway access. Staff found the proposed indoor use compatible with surrounding commercial and industrial developments but required conditions to preserve the vegetative buffer and prevent outdoor storage of tires.
Conditions and agreement
The applicant submitted a voluntary developer agreement that: (a) commits property successors to down‑zone the site to M‑1 if the property is sold to a non‑related entity that intends a different use, (b) confirms all product will be stored indoors, and (c) commits to preserve existing tree buffers along the east side of the site. County staff will finalize the agreement language and the chair will execute the document after staff review.
Outcome
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the rezoning and PUD conditions. Staff will work with the applicant to finalize the developer agreement language and to address technical site permitting.
Speakers
Wesley Hayes — Gateway Properties representative (applicant) Kenneth Odom — County staff (project presentation)
Clarifying details
Building size: proposed approximately 300,000 square feet for indoor storage and distribution. Outdoor storage: applicant committed that tires will be stored inside the building; outdoor storage will not be used. Buffer: applicant will preserve a continuous vegetative buffer along the east property line, estimated in places at 100–300 feet, and will install perimeter security fencing.
Ending
County staff will finalize the developer agreement and document the required buffers and indoor‑storage restriction in permitting records. The board’s approval allows the applicant to proceed to technical site plan review and permitting.
