During a recent city council meeting, officials discussed a proposed zoning map change for a 21.8-acre parcel located at 1503 Camden Avenue, currently designated as industrial and industrial light. The applicant, Greg Bowler of Safeway LLC, seeks to unify the zoning to general industrial to facilitate the expansion of existing industrial operations, specifically to establish a new concrete plant.

The council reviewed comments from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) regarding future trail access in the area. While BPAC suggested the inclusion of bike parking and maintenance facilities, the applicant expressed reluctance to accommodate these requests, citing safety concerns associated with heavy industrial activity on the site. The proposed rail trail is planned to run along the western boundary of the parcel, but the trail has not yet been constructed.

Council members raised questions about the history of the site, with some recalling a previous zoning case from 2018 or 2019. Staff confirmed that the current application is a general rezoning without a specific development plan, meaning the applicant cannot make binding commitments at this stage. However, they will need to return for a major special use permit, at which point more detailed plans and potential commitments could be discussed.

Neil Ghosh, representing the applicant, emphasized the need for the zoning change to modernize the existing facilities, which have been in operation since the early 1990s. He noted that the new plant would utilize more efficient and environmentally friendly technologies, allowing for the phased dismantling of the old facility.

The council unanimously approved the zoning change and adopted a consistency statement as required by state law, marking a significant step in the development process for the site. Further discussions regarding the integration of trail access and other community concerns are expected to take place during the upcoming special use permit hearing.