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A shorthanded Planning and Zoning Commission gave its approval to a concept plan for the expansion of a Fountain Hills manufacturing business.
The commission approved the plan for Prevco Subsea Housings to remodel an existing building and construct a new 10,000-square-foot facility for manufacturing and product assembly on a lot at Desert Vista and Tioga Drive.
The existing building originally housed a medical clinic and more recently a church.
There were objections from the Morningside neighborhood, which is across a wash from the site.
Morningside HOA President Will Jacobs said they do not object to Prevco’s operations, but nearby homeowners are concerned about rezoning the property from C-1 to C-3.
He said what if Prevco requires further expansion and needs to move to a larger site, leaving the property in question with the more dense commercial zoning.
They also objected to the 30-foot building height, which is permitted in C-3 zoning.
Jacobs said there are 11 Morningside properties immediately affected by the plan; they are within 300 feet, but all 122 properties are impacted by any change to the value of those immediately affected.
Commission Chairman Lloyd Pew and Commissioner Stan Connick were absent. Vice Chair Angela Strohan presided at the meeting.
Commissioner Gene Slechta was the single vote to oppose the plan. Slechta stated his support for Prevco, but said he has similar concerns to the neighbors about what might happen with the property if Prevco outgrows the site and moves on.
The concept plan calls for renovation of the 3,800-square-foot existing office building, which is phase I of the project.
Phase II of the plan is the construction of a new 9,960-square-foot building for the manufacturing and assembly operations. There is currently no timeline for construction of the larger building.
Landscape improvements are also called for in the proposal. The commission asked for larger trees to help screen the building from the neighborhood across the wash.
The commission is also recommending the Town Council approve the rezoning request as well as a special use permit to allow for the light manufacturing and assembly work.
While a zoning change would stay with the property, a special use permit is designed to suit the user and would not continue to apply should Prevco relocate in the future.
Scott McCoy, an attorney for Prevco, told the commission that the company started out in the garage of owner John Head 14 years ago.
The business has been growing and is currently operating in a 5,000- square-foot facility on Technology Drive with nine employees. One of those employees is based in London for European clients.
McCoy said the company has a regular work schedule of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. five days a week. He said there is no weekend activity.
There is no smoke, dust, vibration or other things that might disturb neighbors, according to McCoy.
The council is scheduled to consider the requests Thursday, Aug. 1.
