Council sends revised warehouse rezoning back to planning board after applicant alters plans

Staff summarized ZC25-11, an applicant request to rezone two parcels for two warehouse buildings with flex office units at Fair View Road and Large Oak Lane. The planning board had issued an unfavorable recommendation, finding the proposed light-industrial zoning inconsistent with the adopted land-use plan and raising concerns about noise, traffic and incompatibility with a neighborhood-designated vision.

Applicant Andrew Cordell told the commissioners he made revisions after the planning-board meeting: he reduced unit counts, increased parking, widened an access point on Large Oak Lane and proposed a left-turn lane (and has begun communications with affected neighbors about right-of-way needs). Cordell asked the board to consider the updated plans.

Several commissioners said the revisions were substantial enough that the town should re-open the public-review process and give the planning board a chance to consider the changed design. A motion to send ZC25-11 back to planning and public comment for further review (with the potential to vote at a later meeting) passed unanimously.

What’s next: The file will return to the planning board for re-review and another public-comment opportunity before the council takes a final vote; a council member suggested scheduling the next substantive action for August.