Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the De Quinder Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Warren planning commission approves rezoning for De Quinder Plaza to allow distribution business
Summary
The Planning Commission approved rezoning De Quinder Plaza to a single C-3 classification with voluntary conditions restricting auto repair, marijuana businesses and drive-in uses; petitioner and prospective operator intend a packaged-goods distribution business and committed landscaping and nuisance controls.
The City of Warren Planning Commission voted to approve a rezoning-with-conditions for the De Quinder Plaza property to a single C-3 classification, advancing the petition to city council.
Rob Crockmole, representing De Quinder Plaza, told the commission the property has three different zoning classifications that made marketing and leasing difficult. He said the petitioner found a prospective buyer, Nabil Casto, a local entrepreneur interested in operating an owner-occupied distribution business that would supply convenience and grocery retailers with packaged snacks, sodas and exotic candies. "We were finally introduced to Nabil Casto here, a great young entrepreneur...looking to grow his business, looking to hire more people in the area," Crockmole said.
Planning staff recommended approval with conditions, noting the property is shown as a redevelopment site on the city's 2021 master-plan future-land-use map and that the application includes voluntary restrictions. Staff asked that the petitioner provide revised concept-plan copies for city council and reminded the commission that formal site-plan approval would still be required if council grants the rezoning.
Crockmole and staff described voluntary conditions developed with the city attorney that would prohibit auto repair, drive-in movie uses and marijuana-related businesses at the site if the rezoning is approved. Crockmole also committed to improving buffering and landscaping along John B Avenue to shield nearby single-family residences and to measures intended to limit noise and odors.
Commissioners questioned the petitioner and the prospective operator about reuse of existing buildings and the business type. The prospective operator confirmed the planned operation is a packaged distribution business ("everything's packaged") and that the existing Trade Center would continue to operate until a sale occurs.
City attorney staff noted there may be boilerplate changes to the agreement before it advances to city council. Commissioner Dusse moved to approve the rezoning-with-conditions and Commissioner Ansar supported the motion. The commission recorded affirmative roll-call votes from the members present and approved the request to move to city council for final action.
Next steps: the rezoning agreement and any final boilerplate changes will be presented to the City Council for consideration; formal site-plan approval will be required before issuance of building permits.
