Zoning change approved
By Joey Berlin
Originally published 01:23 p.m., January 23, 2008
Updated 01:23 p.m., January 23, 2008
The old Modine Manufacturing building at 1401 Industrial Road is a step closer to being bought and used as a warehouse distribution center.
Ress Properties LLC, represented by David Jamison, saw its request to change the zoning of the Modine building to I-1 light industrial approved Tuesday night by the Emporia-Lyon County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. The commission OK’d the rezoning 6-0, sending the request to the city commission for its Feb. 6 action meeting.
The Modine building was zoned I-1 in the past before being designated C-3 general commercial on May 24, 2006. That zoning change was set to be rescinded after two years if traffic improvements in the area and other conditions were not met. So the building was already set to revert back to I-1 zoning this May.
Jamison spoke to the commission on behalf of Ress Properties.
“Our purpose for the facility is short-term/long-term storage, a freight distribution center,” Jamison said. “That was our initial intent, but there’s been some inquiry in the last couple of weeks about the possibility of a couple of manufacturing companies leasing space in the facility.”
Jamison told the commission that the building’s operations would initially use one or two semi trucks per day, with the intent to increase that number to six to 12 per day in six months to a year. He said smaller box trucks and delivery vans also would be used.
When the commission asked if there was anyone who wished to offer public comment against the potential rezoning, realtor K.B. Thomas Jr. stepped to the podium.
“I’m not particularly against this project, but I think there’s some things that we need to consider here,” he said. “The fire department building out there (Fire Station No. 2) someday may become available. That’s a very good commercial corner.”
Thomas made reference to Walgreens’ previous attempt to buy Station 2, which the city rejected. He said industrial zoning of the Modine building could diminish the value of Station 2 as a commercial site.
Jamison submitted his rezoning request for the 13.1-acre property to the planning commission on Dec. 18. Proliance International of New Haven, Conn., is the current owner of the Modine property.
After the planning commission approved his request, Jamison said he was representing a group of three buyers. He said the sale of the property was contingent on official approval and a couple of other matters, but didn’t elaborate. He said he couldn’t comment further on the sale at this point.