The Salem Planning Commission was unanimous in their opposition to converting a five-acre tract of land along Airport Road north of Dahlins Drive from a residential to a business district.
The proposal was made by Daniel and Breann Thomas of Fielder Drive in Salem who were looking to purchase the property to locate a boat, recreational vehicle, and large item storage units.
While Realtor Chris Tanner noted existing units are currently at capacity and the business would have low traffic, neighbors were unanimously against it. They feared the already bad flooding problem in the neighborhood would be made worse, it would take away privacy in their back yards, and would overall disrupt the neighborhood. Others questioned how it would impact their property values.
Planning Commission Chair Rick McCullum noted the city’s comprehensive plan indicated the five acres should be developed as residential and additional flooding issues was also a concern. If the zoning change is made to B6, it would also open the land to other types of commercial development if the storage unit project fell through.
The issue now goes to the Salem City Council on Monday night where they can approve the planning commission’s recommendation or override it and approve the zoning change.
