New industry proposes own subdivision

The site of the former Bedford Lumber facility on Horse Mountain Road could become the site of a proposed industrial plant that would build modular homes along with an adjoining subdivision that would feature the structures near H.V. Griffin Park. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge]

A proposed industrial plant that would build modular homes and an adjoining subdivision that would feature them near H.V. Griffin Park will be on the agenda of Shelbyville Planning Commission when they meet next Thursday.

However, the city's planning and zoning director indicated that several issues surrounding the proposal would need to be addressed before approval.

A request has been made from George Holder, owner of Shelbyville Warehouse, LLC to rezone 10 acres at 979 Horse Mountain Road from R-2 [Low Density Residential] to I-1 [Light Industrial]. The address is the location of the former Bedford Lumber plant, which has been vacant for a number of years.

According to a statement from SecureBilt, Inc, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of eHolding Technologies, Inc., the company has purchased a 60-acre parcel for development in Shelbyville and "would commence operations before year's end."

According to eHolding Technologies President and CEO Doug Hamby, the property will include a commercial building of 45,000 square feet, including 4,000 square feet of office space.

"SecureBilt intends to grant five acres to the city to enhance an adjoining athletic park, with the remaining 45 acres set aside for a subdivision. The current plan is to build 135 single family houses, or three houses per acre, on the remaining property."

SecureBilt has also received a $1.4 million commitment from a Colorado real estate investment group to assist in the purchase, according to the company statement and closing on the transaction is expected to occur by month's end.

Kip Green, Shelbyville's planning and zoning director, says that the entire area surrounding the address is zoned R-2. If the 10 acres is rezoned, the company would use the proposed subdivision to market their product, "which is a great idea, Green said.

But there are several problems Green has with the proposal, one of which being that trucks would have to travel through one of the oldest residential areas in Shelbyville to access the property.

When production would begin at the plant, Green said there could be "12 semi-trailers, flat beds, full of materials at a minimum of two [units] a day, plus employees" going through the area.

However, Green says that representatives of the company are aware of these concerns and "up to speed."

"I think they would not be adverse to doing some road improvements but as of right now, that is not in place. So from the planning side, I am not comfortable giving that a blanket I-1 designation right now."

Green added that there were some options with the project and he expected that it would not be turned down. "But, it's also right out there in the middle of a highly residential neighborhood. To plant an industrial development right there ... it's not your every day situation."

According to Hamby, all homes to be constructed would feature a new construction technology that utilizes Structural Insulated Panels [SIP], which aside from residential applications, also provides superior construction solutions for commercial and light industrial projects.

The company states that SIP construction is distinguished from others by the fact "that structures can withstand Category 4 hurricane winds of 200 m.p.h., and absorb earthquakes in excess of 7.0 points on the Richter scale." Green described the homes as being done in "a very high quality construction style."

Hamby said the subdivision will serve an important function for prospective developers, builders and others, such as municipal officials.

"After a tour of the plant, existing structures in the immediate area will make it convenient for visitors to examine completed buildings. An additional advantage will be to allow construction crews to receive on the job training all in one location," he said.

Hamby also noted that the company intends to add other energy saving features to further enhance the value to the homeowner.