The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions for a rezoning at 231 Collins Industrial to permit reuse and modest expansion of an existing concrete‑block manufacturing facility. Staff said the property’s prior industrial use and the presence of an existing building made adaptive reuse a reasonable outcome if conditions limited impacts on nearby residences.

The applicant described an enclosed block‑manufacturing operation that would be relocated from a downtown site and said the equipment and processes produce low noise and limited offsite emissions when operated in an enclosed building. The applicant estimated roughly ten employees and about 40 vehicle trips per day at the new location and emphasized reuse of existing utilities and stormwater infrastructure where possible.

Neighbors opposed the rezoning; concerns included potential dust, noise, light and heavy truck traffic. The applicant and staff said the operation is largely enclosed and that the proposed design seeks to keep outdoor storage and working areas set back from adjacent housing.

Staff recommended approval subject to several conditions: prohibiting particularly heavy or noxious industrial uses (e.g., junkyards, slaughterhouses, transfer stations), requiring a 50‑foot vegetated buffer adjacent to residential and multi‑family properties, and directing vehicle access to limit impacts on abutting residential streets. During deliberations several commissioners requested an explicit commitment to preserve a majority of the existing tree canopy; the applicant indicated the conceptual site plan showed nearly nine acres of preserved tree canopy and accepted a condition to preserve at least 50% of the site canopy as shown on the concept limits of disturbance.

On roll call the commission recommended approval with the listed conditions; the motion passed 5–2. The recommendation will go to the Mayor & Commission for final action.