Planning board amends I-2 height limit to 80 feet, shifting review to site-plan analysis
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Summary
The board amended the I-2 zoning language to change a 40-foot maximum building height to a site-plan-based approach capped at 80 feet, removing a frequent variance step for modestly taller buildings.
Madison County staff proposed changing the maximum allowed building height in I-2 industrial zones from a fixed limit of 40 feet to a case-by-case determination subject to site-plan review; after discussion the board adopted language setting an 80-foot maximum.
Staff described the current 40-foot cap as routinely low for some industrial uses and recommended leaving height determinations to site-plan review. Board members discussed whether a new maximum should exist to avoid wide variability; one member suggested 80 feet as a limit that would reduce the need for frequent variances while preventing extreme proposals. The board moved to amend the ordinance language so the maximum building height for I-2 would be "not to exceed 80 feet," and the motion passed.
Board members said site-plan review would still allow staff and the board to impose design-based limitations if a proposed building appeared out of scale for its surroundings. The amendment removes a routine variance step for modest increases above 40 feet but requires a variance if a project exceeds the newly adopted cap.