An industrial warehouse distribution facility totaling 1,251,250 square feet is planned for a site that includes 29 acres rezoned last week by the Locust Grove City Council.

  The purpose of the rezoning from RA (residential-agricultural) to M-1 (light manufacturing) is to combine the tract with additional tracts already zoned for an industrial/distribution facility, according to city staff documents. The facility, known as Gardner Commerce Center, is scheduled for completion in 2021.

  The site that was rezoned is on the northern end of Jackson Street, near Hwy. 42.

  In a separate action, the council voted to amend the city’s Future Land Use Map designation from low-density residential to industrial. City staff stated that the request was in line with the comprehensive plan and recommend approval, but said that any rezoning “should minimize any possible negative effects on remaining residential, mixed-historic and TCU properties.”

  The council approved a resolution regarding the architectural plans for an unrelated project, a proposed new 658,068-square-foot distribution facility at 3150 Hwy. 42 South. The plan is for a gigantic single-story rectangular building whose main entrance and vehicle access will face the highway.

  In other business, the council set its meeting schedule for 2020. As is the case now, the council will typically convene for its regular business meeting the first Monday of each month, although the February and March meetings are scheduled for second Mondays and the September meeting is the first Tuesday.

  The workshop meetings will be the third Tuesday in January and the fourth Monday in February and March, with the remainder of the year’s workshops set for third Mondays. All meetings are in the council chambers in the Public Safety Building, 3640 Hwy. 42, and start at 6 p.m.

  The council voted to officially accept two annexation applications. The tracts in question are adjoining pieces of property, about 24 acres each, on the east side of Davis Lake Road just south of Colvin Road. Both properties currently have an RA (residential-agricultural) zoning in the county and will remain that way if annexed into the city.

  Also approved was a conditional use for an attached guest quarters on a three-acre residential site at 106 Grove Road. City code allows this use if it is only one unit per lot and that unit is in the rear yard. The lot must meet minimum area requirements for a two-family dwelling and cannot be used as rental property.

  A final plat revision for the Berkeley Lakes subdivision, specifically the amenities area, was approved. The subdivision consists of 160 lots, of which about 20 percent have been built out and are occupied. The final plat for the development was approved in 2017. Newly approved amenities include playground equipment, air-conditioned cabana with bathrooms, an in-ground pool, two corn hole courts, one bocce court, and a multi-use field. Amenities approved in 2017 include pocket parks for passive recreation, a 10-foot multi-use trail and more than 2,000 feet of walking trail. All must be completed before the 128th lot receives a certificate of occupancy.

  Fee increases have been approved for certain building and development permits for the 2020 fiscal year. City staff reported that some actions were not on the fee schedule while others had fees which did not equal the staff work involved.

  Additions to the fee schedule include water and/or sanitary sewer availability letters, fire flow tests performed by the city, fire flow tests performed by third parties but witnessed by the city, and pressure tests for water systems.

  Step increases in fees were approved for changes in tenancy permits, demolition permits, swimming pool permits, fire sprinkler permits, fire alarm permits, low voltage permits, and permit card replacement.

  The council approved an ordinance extending the city’s Historic Preservation District Overlay boundaries to incorporate additional properties along the west side of Cleveland Street south of Carter Lane.