Graham’s planning board agreed to recommend a new category of zoning in hopes of jump-starting a warehouse project along Cherry Lane near I-85/40.
Three years ago, a Texas developer (Welcome Group of Houston, Texas) announced plans to build five warehouse buildings totaling 745,700 square feet on a 94-acre site along Cherry Lane adjacent to I-85/40. A billboard along the interstate is, thus far, the only indication of any movement. No plans have been filed for any particular tenant, although Graham’s planner said that final discussions are ongoing about the layout for the largest of the five buildings in the park, currently identified as Welcome I-40 Logistics Center.
The five buildings’ square footages are listed as: 290,500; 285,600; 67,200; 54,400; and 48,000.
Lawyers representing the Vernon Law Firm filed the application for a zoning change asking that the city institute a new “multi-tenant” category for zoning in industrial areas.
Taylor Squires with the law firm told the planning board that the developer hopes that there may be interest by companies in having smaller areas of warehouse space – a part of some of the buildings –rather than committing to occupy the entire building.
Graham’s current zoning categories do not have the flexibility to permit approval for multi-tenant occupancy of individual buildings in an industrial zone.
While the request arose from this particular, 94-acre parcel and the five buildings being proposed for it, planning board members were cautious to try to anticipate generic issues that might arise at this or other future locations, as well.
In particular, they wanted to ensure that there wouldn’t be any call centers, retail outlets, or other derivatives, especially that might cause more traffic than is associated with a typical industrial site.
Ultimately, Graham’s planning board voted unanimously, 7-0, to recommend the new designation to Graham’s city council, which will consider the issue at its May 13 meeting.
Planning board member Chad Huffine, who lives on Cherry Lane next to the property, told the newspaper afterwards that he did not consider his participation a conflict since the underlying change considered by the board and recommended to the council applied citywide, not just to the property owner next to him from which the request arose.
Hair salon in residential area
The planning board also gave its approval and recommendation to the city council for a rezoning at 113 West Gilbreath Street, the home of Graham’s late mayor Vic Euliss.
Euliss’ daughter, Nadia Euliss, was requesting to use part of the family home where she lives with her mother for a hair salon.
A “guest house” attached and to the left of the main residence would be converted for her business, “Hairology.” She said she would see clients one at a time and by appointment only, and only during about three days a week, so that additional parking should not be a factor.
The planning board voted 7-0 in favor of recommending the rezoning.
