The Cal Planning and Zoning Commission on Nov. 17 voted to recommend approval of a preliminary/final development plan and final plat for a large warehouse and distribution facility at the northeast corner of Peace Road and Fairview Drive proposed by Midwest / Moore DeKalb LLC. The motion, moved by Commissioner Falbone and seconded by McMahon, passed on a roll-call vote and will be transmitted to the city council for final action.

Presenter Securian Moore described the initial building as roughly 1,019,343 square feet of warehouse space with a planned future expansion of about 524,417 square feet. The project sits on approximately 47 acres and includes truck access and parking, gated truck entrances off Peace Road, fenced service/loading areas, detention ponds for stormwater management and utility extensions (sanitary and water) to serve this site and future properties to the north. Staff told the commission the preliminary/final plans substantially match the concept plan approved earlier and recommended approval with standard conditions and that staff comments be addressed before issuance of building permits and recording of the final plat.

Adjacent resident Lynn Farris, who said she has lived on the nearby corner parcel for about 35 years, raised concerns about frequent changes at the site, berming, the placement and orientation of 'no trespassing' signs, potential trespass of ponds and the effect of large industrial development on nearby property values. The developer replied that portions of the site will be farmed and maintained as green space, that landscaping and fencing will be provided around truck and loading areas, and that any future expansion beyond the approved footprint would require returning to the commission and city council for amendments to the ordinance and additional review.

Commissioners discussed traffic access points, truck circulation and the project's compliance with the previously approved concept plan. A motion recommending approval, conditioned on addressing staff comments before permitting and plat recording, was moved, seconded and passed unanimously. Staff noted the item will be considered by the city council in the coming week.