Ellisville Plan Commission approves modular‑home sales and storage at 8650 West Flatwoods Road

Ellisville — The Ellisville Plan Commission approved a development plan for a modular‑home sales and storage business at 8650 West Flatwoods Road (case PC26‑13), the commission announced after a roll-call vote.

Staff presented the proposal and recommended approval, saying the 10.7‑acre parcel is zoned I1 (Industrial One) and that the proposed uses — business offices, model‑home displays, warehousing and distribution — are permitted by special exception in the district. "Staff recommends plan commission approve the development plan for 8650 West Flatwoods Road," staff said during the presentation.

Petitioners, identified in meeting materials as Brett Odin and represented at the hearing by Jay Willis, told commissioners the model homes would be display units only and would not be occupied. Willis said the development will use roughly 2 acres of the parcel and outlined landscaping and buffering plans, saying the team proposed "a 100‑foot buffer yard that is going to be heavily landscaped" on the east side and a 60‑foot buffer on the north and west, with preservation of mature trees where feasible.

Willis described stormwater measures and roadside improvements to address standing water on West Flatwoods Road and said utility review found no problems supplying water to the site. On the site layout and parking, staff and the petitioner said there will be one ADA parking space at the office, three striped spaces on the west side of the office and six spaces behind the warehouse for employees, consistent with the plan materials.

Staff also told the commission that the technical advisory committee had reviewed the plans and that outstanding items identified in that review had been addressed. The staff presentation noted the fire department had approved required turn radii and that hazardous materials will not be stored on site.

No members of the public spoke in opposition during the public‑comment period. A motion to approve PC26‑13 was made and seconded; the commission then recorded roll‑call votes with Steve Hail, Zach Michael, Pamela Samples and Pat Wesloki voting "yes," and the chair declaring the motion approved and passed.

After the vote staff announced the next Plan Commission meeting is scheduled for May 7 and that members would be notified if the chair cancels the meeting. During the planning‑commission comments portion of the agenda, a commissioner raised separate concerns about turning movements and roadway safety near a nearby development by the Arby's area and urged seeking clearer traffic mitigations from INDOT or other agencies.

The plan commission did not list additional conditions on the record during the meeting; staff said the commission may include any conditions it deems appropriate when formalizing approval. The record shows the commission approved the development plan by roll call; no formal amendments or abstentions were recorded.