Plan Commission backs rezoning of two Merchants Drive parcels to low‑intensity industrial

The DeKalb County Plan Commission voted unanimously June 18 to send a favorable recommendation to the county commissioners for a rezoning request affecting two parcels at 6481 and 6485 Merchants Drive.

Staff said the petition by Schlemmer Enterprises seeks to change roughly 5 acres from C‑4 Highway Commercial to I‑2 Low Intensity Industrial to broaden prospective buyers and tenants and better fit the existing building and site. The staff report notes surrounding properties include commercial and industrial zoning, and the future land‑use map shows commercial use nearby but does not prohibit industrial zoning. Staff said multiple county departments issued non‑objection letters for the application and that required notices were mailed and published (staff corrected the legal notice date to June 6). The application filing date was recorded as 05/16/2025.

According to staff, the C‑4 district primarily allows highway‑oriented services while I‑2 permits manufacturing, assembly, small research and lab spaces, warehousing and similar uses that staff said “better suit the building that’s there and better suit the site.” Commissioners asked whether long‑term outdoor storage (pallets, trucks or similar) would be allowed under I‑2; staff responded that outdoor storage is controlled by development standards in the zoning ordinance and would be permitted only as the code allows and for business operations rather than indefinite, long‑term storage.

After the staff presentation and a brief question period — during which no members of the public spoke for or against the petition — a commissioner moved to forward a favorable recommendation to the county commissioners. The plan commission took a roll‑call vote and recorded unanimous support from members present.

Next steps: the county commissioners will receive the plan commission’s recommendation and will decide whether to approve the rezoning request at a subsequent public hearing.