Council approves conditional-use permit for warehouse at 421 Coward Avenue despite neighbor opposition

Matt Martin, a planning and zoning staff member, told the council the conditional‑use permit is for a roughly 4‑acre parcel at 421 Coward Avenue in the highway commercial (CH) district and described a proposed warehouse of a little more than 4,000 square feet with five parking spaces. He said the planning commission reviewed the application in April and found it consistent with the comprehensive plan, recommending approval subject to nine conditions.

David Frasier, who identified himself as employed by Powerhouse Outdoor Equipment, spoke in favor of the request. He said the warehouse would be used "for storage of inventory for new machines" and argued the building would allow his business to clean up outdoor storage visible from the retail site and preserve a nearby lot for a future larger retail store.

Bill Broadfoot, speaking for nearby property owners, urged denial. He said a "freestanding warehouse that is industrial" belongs in an industrial area and argued the proposed building is inconsistent with surrounding medical and medical‑support properties near South Georgia Medical Center. Broadfoot said allowing the warehouse would "devalue all the rest of the properties on Coward Avenue" and asked the council to protect the area from industrial encroachment.

Following the public hearing, a councilmember moved to approve the request "as stated." The motion received a second, council members voted by show of hands, and the motion carried, approving the permit with the conditions listed in the council packet.

The approved file in the packet—referenced by planning staff—lists nine conditions attached to the conditional‑use approval; the council did not articulate changes to those conditions during the meeting. The item will proceed under the standard building‑permit and site‑plan processes unless the applicant or other parties pursue additional appeals.

Next steps: the applicant can pursue building permits and must satisfy the nine conditions that were part of the planning commission recommendation and the city packet.