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Lonza asks Walkersville planning commission to consider raising industrial height limits to 100 feet
Summary
Lonza representatives asked the Walkersville Planning Commission to support zoning changes that would allow industrial buildings up to 100 feet so the site can compete for new corporate research or manufacturing assets; commissioners agreed to continue the discussion at an April 8 follow-up with renderings and technical input from fire and county staff.
Lonza engineering director Charlie Sher told the Walkersville Planning Commission on March 25 that the company is asking the town to consider raising the industrial building-height limit so the site can compete for new research, manufacturing or office assets.
“All we’re asking is to see if you guys are willing to support us with some, you know, code changes specifically around building height and whatever the code the setbacks would be,” Sher said, explaining that many modern research and manufacturing buildings exceed the town’s current 45-foot limit. Sher offered to provide renderings and to host commission members at the site for daytime visits.
Susan (town staff) reminded commissioners that the town’s code currently caps industrial heights at 45 feet and noted an exception provision (88-58) that allows certain public and institutional buildings to reach 70 feet subject to increased setbacks; she outlined options to either change the chart value in the district table or to expand the exceptions section to include industrial or office uses with accompanying setback increases.
Commissioners used nearby structures for scale in the discussion. One member pointed to the grain tower and water tower near the site, noting those structures exceed 100 feet; commissioners also pressed for fire-service input. John (commissioner) said the fire company or fire marshal should be consulted to verify ladder and truck capabilities before any permanent change is adopted.
A commissioner moved that the panel “proceed positively with this request” but handle details at a separate, focused meeting; the motion was seconded and the commission voted unanimously to ask Lonza to return on April 8 with additional information, including building renderings and verification of nearby tower heights. Susan and Sher agreed to collect and circulate requested measurements and material ahead of the next meeting.
Why it matters: changing the height limit would alter what types of industrial and research campuses can site in Walkersville, potentially creating space for larger employers but also triggering additional review of setbacks, fire protection and stormwater/permitting obligations. The commission framed the March 25 vote as a direction to continue a technical review, not as final approval of a code change.
The Planning Commission will revisit the request at its April 8 meeting with Lonza representatives and town staff present to provide further technical and mapping details.
