Commission approves rezoning for small light‑industrial site on US‑287 with restricted future uses

The Planning and Zoning Commission on March 5 approved zoning case PD25‑1 to rezone roughly 0.893 acres at 7505 US‑287 Business Highway from a PD limited to nursery uses to a PD for light industrial uses with a development plan.

Cecilia Nelson, senior planner, said the property sits adjacent to existing salvage yards and industrial uses and that the proposed plan requests one deviation — a roof pitch of 2:12 where the Unified Development Code requires 4:12 for pitched roofs. The applicant proposes a warehouse/distribution use for a small drywall business, would demolish the existing structure, and is proposing 10 parking spaces where nine are required. Staff said required landscaping would be met and recommended approval.

Commissioners and the applicant discussed a non‑exhaustive list of uses the commission asked be excluded from future activity on the site (examples read into the record included car washes, gasoline sales, salvage yards, pawn shops, large vehicle services, and other uses). Luke Melaine of Civil Point Engineers, speaking for the applicant, said the operation would be a materials storage and workspace for the drywall company. Commissioner Blake moved approval with the exclusions read into the record; Commissioner Sumter seconded. The motion passed 8‑1.

Staff noted the site lies within a rural residential land‑use category of the comprehensive plan but said the proposed use matches surrounding uses; the commission approved the requested deviation and the rezoning with the recorded exclusions. The action is a recommendation to City Council for final ordinance action.