Planning commission recommends rezoning 605 Mulberry Street to light-industrial, sends measure to Loudon City Council

The City of Loudon Regional Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning 605 Mulberry Street from a C‑3 local business district to M‑1 light industrial and will forward the proposal to city council for a public hearing. The motion to recommend approval passed by voice vote.

The application (No. 256) was introduced by the chair as a request from applicant Greg Lehi; the property owner was listed in the record as Baker Brothers Township. Planning staff summarized surrounding land uses and urged conditions for screening during site‑plan review to help the industrial use fit nearby development. "We would ask for for this or any other industrial use for screening, for, you know, during a site plan review. That that would be a requirement," planning staff said during the presentation.

Greg Lehi told commissioners the applicant seeks light industrial and warehouse use and described the parcel as appropriate for rezoning given adjacent industrial properties on Tennessee National Boulevard. Commissioners discussed the site's zoning history and screening requirements; one commissioner noted they believed the parcel had previously been zoned M‑1 before conversion to commercial many years ago.

The commission moved, seconded and approved a recommendation to send the rezoning to Loudon City Council for a public hearing; staff noted council will consider the formal legislative action. The record includes a staff recommendation to require screening as part of any future site plan to help mitigate impacts to adjacent properties.

The commission also heard planning staff reports that corridor mapping and a transportation master plan work will be forthcoming to the commission in coming months. The rezoning recommendation now goes to city council, which will schedule the public hearing and take the final legislative vote.