Staff says proposed 166,615‑sq‑ft Walnut Street warehouse does not align with future land use map; lists conditions and three variances

During the March 10 staff briefing, planning staff presented CPA‑26‑01‑0002 and ZON‑26‑01‑0002 for a proposed 166,615‑square‑foot office‑warehouse on 15.7 acres at 1610 Walnut Street adjacent to IH‑30. "The recommendation, the development review committee is unable to support the zoning change because the proposed zoning change does not align with the future land use map," a staff member said. Staff walked commissioners through the concept elevations and site layout and said the applicant proposes a planned development (PD) with base zoning of light industrial but would prohibit several uses, including automotive repair and truck stop/gas sales.

Staff detailed three variances requested by the applicant: an increase in maximum off‑street parking to 150% of the minimum requirement, an alternative to a required 6‑ft masonry screening wall along the eastern property line (a retaining wall with supplemental screening where the wall is under 6 feet), and a variance to allow truck docks parallel to IH‑30 instead of designed to face away from a public street. Staff said 75 public notices were mailed; there were zero letters of support and seven letters of opposition from four different parcels raising concerns about existing warehouse density, noise, dirt and safety. Staff recommended conditions should the commission approve the request, notably a landscape berm or wrought‑iron fencing with evergreen trees and shrubs to screen docks and outdoor storage and a noise study approved by Public Health and Environmental Quality prior to site plan submission.