Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Industrial Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves 16,500 sq ft addition at 1450 Hough Industrial Drive despite constrained rear access
Summary
The commission approved a 16,500 sq ft metal building addition for Blohm International at 1450 Hough Industrial Drive. The O'Fallon Fire Protection District told staff the rear drive does not meet fire‑access standards; the applicant and staff said the fire marshal has been consulted and recommended gating and signage to mark the route as not a fire access.
The O'Fallon Planning and Zoning Commission on May 1 approved a site plan for a 16,500 square‑foot expansion to a Blohm International facility at 1450 Hough Industrial Drive.
Cliff Heitman of Bax Engineering described the addition as a metal building to match the existing structure and said some front‑lot pavement will be repaired to meet ADA access standards. Heitman also described a narrow gravel construction access to the rear that would not function as a daily entrance or truck dock; the property's truck docks remain at the front of the building.
Heitman said the builder met with the fire marshal onsite and that the fire marshal "could get back there if they needed to, it's not... it doesn't meet their standards," and requested that the rear drive be gated, chained and signed as not a fire access drive. Staff reiterated the fire district's correspondence that the access drive does not meet the fire access road requirements, and staff included fire district approval as a condition for final sign‑off.
Commissioners confirmed the city does not require the rear drive to be present; the arrangement is an operational choice by the property owner. Commissioners also asked about what is stored in the building; Heitman said the company performs industrial coatings and linings and that the fire department is aware of the materials and the proposed expansion.
A motion to approve the site plan based on staff recommendations passed unanimously (vote recorded as "voting is closed" and motion carries). Conditions include required approvals from the fire district, MDNR and the sanitary and water districts, and technical site modifications such as the curb inlet distance and downspout connections.
