A recommendation to the Oxford Village Council to rezone property that’s been used for industrial purposes since the early 20th century was approved in a 4-0 vote last week by the planning commission.

Industrial Machine Products (IMP), which owns four parcels at 32 and 45 Louck St., between Church and Center streets, east of M-24, requested its land be rezoned from multiple family residential (RM-1 and RM-2) to industrial (I-1).

IMP is “in a position to grow our business,” but it was discovered the current residential zoning is “preventing us from expanding,” wrote David Navarro, vice president and general manager in a Sept. 22 letter to the commission.

The company does stamping, welding and assembly for the automotive industry.

During the public hearing, village President Sue Bossardet expressed her support for the proposed rezoning.

“I believe that they’re good neighbors,” she said. “They’re a good business here in town . . . We can’t afford to lose good businesses.”

In his letter, Navarro noted the zoning of IMP’s property, which sits on both the east and west sides of Louck St., “somehow was changed to residential” and this was done “without the knowledge of the ownership.”

In his Oct. 13 review of the rezoning request, village Planner Chris Khorey, of the Northville-based McKenna Associates, explained that in 2006, the village rezoned all land north of the Polly Ann Trail from Louck St. to Glaspie street from industrial to RM-2. The village simultaneously rezoned the land on the west side of Louck St. to RM-1.

“At the time, there was a large-scale multiple family development proposed that would have involved land in both the village and the township,” he wrote. “However, that development was never built.”

Khorey told commissioners he’s certain the 2006 rezoning was “initiated” by the village, but he’s not sure if the property owner was ever notified.

“We went through everything we had and we have no record of getting (any) notice that we were changed from industrial to residential,” Navarro replied.

In his letter, Navarro noted the IMP site has been used for industrial purposes “as early as 1915,” when portions of the current building were “a repair facility for the trains of that era.”

During World War II, it turned into a manufacturing facility that produced goods to aid the United States in its fight against the Axis powers, according to Navarro.

The site continued as “a gear manufacturer and a plating facility” until the mid-1980s when the current owner bought it and began doing stamping, welding and assembly there.

Khorey noted rezoning the property to industrial is consistent with the recently updated master plan, which designates the site for that use “because of the existing business.”

“It is the village’s stated goal to promote business and reduce impediments to the expansion of the community’s employers and tax base,” he wrote. “The proposed rezoning fits the intention of the master plan.”

“It’s a big point in favor of granting this rezoning that the master plan says industrial,” Khorey told commissioners.

The only opposition came from two residents who live near IMP and are unhappy with the noise generated by plant operations.

“Any change in (zoning) that would result in more noise, or anything like that, I am not in favor of,” said Tom Storer, who lives on Center St., “just a stone’s throw away.”

“I’m a pretty deep sleeper, but I can hear it in the middle of the night.”

Resident Brian Anderson did not attend the hearing, but he submitted a letter of opposition.

“I live in a condominium down the street and I can hear pounding coming from that building even inside my condo,’ he wrote. “What we need is more housing and businesses in the village, not industrial. We have a beautiful downtown and we don’t need industrial in the heart of it.

“Give Industrial Machine Products a tax break to move out of the village and into the township. You can also do the same for TKMS Trucking.”

Commissioner Maureen Helmuth, who also serves on the village council, had no problem with the rezoning request “as is,” but noted she can “sometimes” hear noise from IMP at her house on Dayton St., west of M-24.

She suggested that when IMP eventually returns to the planning commission seeking site plan approval for its expansion, sound proofing should be required in order to “get that noise under control as much as” possible.

Navarro agreed the noise from a stamping plant isn’t pleasant.

“I’ve been in stamping my entire life,” he said. “I would not want to live next to a stamping plant.”

“Unfortunately, the stamping plant’s been there for a long time and that’s difficult when (new) people move in,” Navarro added.

Navarro explained IMP tries to be a “good neighbor” and has taken “measures to try and lessen (the noise) in the evening.”

IMP runs two shifts. One is from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., while the other goes from 3:30 p.m. to midnight.

Bossardet noted she remembers IMP being loud in the past, “but I believe that noise has decreased significantly.”

If IMP is allowed to expand its facilities, Navarro told commissioners part of the plan would be “to help lessen the noise” through changes in technology and operations.

“We’re looking to get out of the conventional stamping business and into the servo machines, which is a much different style,” he explained. “Our business model going forward is to become more of an assembly company.”

Khorey noted noise issues can be addressed by the planning commission when IMP seeks to expand its facilities.

Until then, he explained the village does have noise standards included in its zoning ordinance and any complaints should be addressed by the code enforcement officer.

Planning Commission Chairman Gary Douglas asked village Manager Joe Young if IMP’s committed any noise violations or been the subject of complaints.

“To my knowledge, there’s not been any complaints other than (what) we’ve received (at) this public hearing,” he replied.

Storer noted he probably would have complained before, but he didn’t know who to contact. Now, he does.

Rezoning the property for industrial use is the “logical choice” because IMP’s “been there for a while,” Storer continued, but, “I don’t know that it’s the best answer.”

“I wouldn’t want raise infants and toddlers in the house I’m living in right now,” he said.