Staff presented a development plan (docket 202569DP) for a new Tom Wood auto dealership (approx. 32,700 sq ft) in the rural general business district within the I‑65 South Overlay. The petitioner requested a waiver to allow painted precast concrete panels on the building elevations not facing I‑65; staff recommended conditional approval of the development plan but noted the waiver is discretionary because the overlay limits precast panels to industrial/warehouse uses.

Jerry (Strongbox commercial) confirmed the proposed tenant will be a Honda dealership and described the rear shop portion as using precast panels painted to match the front and said the panels include reveal patterns and cap metal. Public commenter John Green questioned allowing concrete panels in the gateway area, calling them "rather industrial" and noting many nearby buildings feature brick veneer.

Commissioners probed the proposed elevations, asked whether the panels will be textured or painted and whether the rear area could be changed to EIFS. Several commissioners said the building massing is large and urged more relief, windows or three‑dimensional elements and asked for a revised façade that better fits the gateway character. The petitioner agreed to investigate relief and return with more pleasing detail.

The commission moved to postpone the final action to the next appropriate meeting to allow revised architectural drawings and staff review; a roll call of members recorded the continuance.

Next steps: petitioner to return with revised architectural elevations addressing relief, color, texture and landscaping; staff to review and bring the item back on a future agenda.