Planning commission approves Universal Spiral Air expansion at Hillside and Landcamp with safety and engineering conditions

The Walker Planning Commission on Feb. 18 approved a site plan for an industrial addition and truck dock at the corner of Hillside and Landcamp, subject to several conditions aimed at addressing safety, drainage and land-record issues.

Paula Priebe, planning director, told commissioners the applicant received a front-yard setback variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals on Jan. 14 and that staff recommended conditions including an updated lighting plan and a dumpster enclosure. City Engineer Scott Connors told the commission the developer must obtain a stormwater permit and complete stormwater calculations before permits can be finalized.

The applicant, David Krupp of Universal Spiral Air, described the business need for additional space and said the expansion would keep employees working in Walker. "We need this to have more space to continue our business," Krupp said. He and his site engineer, Dan Huva, told the board most deliveries will be by 26-foot box trucks daily and that semis would appear a few times a week; the design uses a separate truck driveway and dock to limit on-street maneuvering.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on a planned driveway that crosses a frequently used trail. Staff and commissioners recommended measures to make the crossing obvious and safer—signage, lighting and a concrete trail crossing were discussed. The applicant said the trail portion crossing the driveway would be poured concrete and moved about 1 foot off the property line so the crossing is more visible. Staff suggested consulting Kent County Parks and trail organizations; the board asked for an administrative sign-off on any reasonable safety measures recommended by parks staff rather than making parks' approval a formal precondition.

The motion to approve the site plan (plans dated 02/03/2026) carried with the conditions: a light plan meeting the requirements of section 12.06f of the zoning ordinance; a dumpster enclosure meeting section 12.08 of the zoning ordinance; the applicant must address all items outlined in the City Engineer's report dated 02/11/2026; the applicant must provide three sealed sets of civil engineering plans incorporating the recommended conditions prior to issuance of building permits; and the cross-access easement must be recorded and in hand before building permits are issued. Commissioners also recorded a recommendation to consult Kent County Trails regarding reasonable safety measures for the trail crossing, with administrative sign-off by city staff.

The commission did not provide a roll-call vote tally in the record; the chair called for those in favor and the motion carried. Staff noted other follow-up: driveway/variance paperwork for highway/right-of-way access and completion of stormwater permitting and calculations before final permits.

The commission scheduled its next meeting for March 4.