On December 23, 2015, Jon Schmidt and Associates, the authorized agent for E-Z Weld, submitted an application for a Site Plan (SP-15-18) and Rezone (RZ-15-02) for a 7.23 acre property located at 1301 President Barack Obama Highway. The parcel to be rezoned is approximately 4.68 acres. E-Z Weld is one of the largest manufacturers of solvent cements in the United States and has operated its USA Headquarters out of a facility located at 1661 President Barack Obama Highway, formerly known as Old Dixie Highway, in Riviera Beach, Florida for 50 years. The current facility, home to E-Z Weld solvent cements, is just over 2.5 acres and contains about 45,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehouse and office space. E-Z Weld has purchased the subject property to expand their current operations and remain in Riviera Beach. The proposed E-Z Weld site is 7.23 acres in size and will house a 131,944 square foot building for production, storage, and associated offices. E-Z Weld currently employs 53 people at their existing Riviera Beach facility, and they plan to increase that number at the new facility. These employees will include executive, management, plant and warehouse shift workers, as well as administrative staff.
The parcel currently has both General Industrial (IG) and Limited Industrial (IL) Zoning Designations. In order to accommodate the proposed 131,944 square-foot industrial building for manufacturing, processing, and fabrication, the applicant is requesting that the Limited Industrial portion of the site (~4.68 acres of land) be rezoned to a General Industrial designation. This will provide for a General Industrial Zoning designation throughout the entire parcel. Please see attached zoning and location maps.
The 2015 Assessed Value for the property was $1,209,697. The projected completed value will increase to approximately $12,000,000. The projected is anticipated to be complete by 2017. The site plan application for this property will be presented with the second reading of this ordinance.
The Planning and Zoning Board reviewed the applications for site plan and rezone on February 11, 2016 and voted unanimously to recommend both items to the City Council for approval. Staff recommends approval of this application. The proposed zoning change is consistent with and compatible with the City's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.