Planning commission approves office-warehouse site plan at Highway 11, flags fire-water requirement

The Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission approved a commercial site plan for an office building and warehouse at 1369 Highway 11 for Appalachian Construction & Design LLC, with staff conditions addressing fire protection and documentation requirements.

John Ball, representing the applicant, attended and accepted staff comments. Planner Mr. Valentine said the submitted plan was well prepared but omitted interior office dimensions on sheet C200 and raised a larger concern: the warehouse perimeter may not be within 500 feet of a fire hydrant. Mr. Valentine reported New Market Utility District has only a 4-inch service and "they don't have the infrastructure to support fire hydrants," meaning sprinkling the building is currently infeasible without upgrades. He recommended approval with the exception of the hydrant/water access item and asked for the required signed documentation before a building permit is issued.

Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to approve the site plan with staff comments and the noted exception; the motion passed on a voice vote. The commission asked the applicant to provide the finalized documents and any state filings (the applicant confirmed a notice of intent has been filed and is under review).

The commission's approval does not dispense with required state or utility reviews. The applicant must submit the requested engineering and utility documentation and satisfy any fire-protection requirements before the county issues building permits.