Staff backs plan to reclassify 1660 Northwestwood Circle to manufacturing/warehouse

Planning staff recommended approval at the March 3 work session of a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for 1660 Northwestwood Circle to change the site’s future land use from business office to manufacturing/warehouse and to rezone remaining office acreage to ML‑20A (light industrial).

Jason Gillis, planner, said staff reviewed the area and found adjacent parcels already zoned ML‑20A and that a nearby warehouse distribution project approved in 2023 established a pattern favoring warehouse uses to the northwest. Gillis said the site is split between CO (commercial office) and ML‑20A and that the applicant proposes to consolidate the parcel to ML‑20A and demolish the current office building to build warehouses that would meet ML‑20A parking, landscaping and setback requirements.

Commissioners discussed neighborhood character; one commissioner said the area “struck me as kind of an office park” but acknowledged vacancy and existing nearby warehouse development as factors supporting the transition. Gillis noted the proposal is “the last lot” at the edge of the transition and that everything east of the lot would remain business office under the proposal.

Staff said there were no letters in support or opposition and that the proposed development would comply with ML‑20A standards; staff recommended approval and answered questions about the proposed illustrative plan, proximity to a new warehouse under construction to the north and on-site compliance with code when the applicant applies for permits. There was no formal vote recorded at the work session; the items will appear at public hearing for a formal recommendation and, if recommended, consideration by the City Council.