Breaking ground by May 1 is a goal Tom Daggett has for his expansion of Hutchinson Manufacturing Inc. along State Highway 7 West.

His plans moved a step forward Tuesday night. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council approve his request to rezone a 3.8-acre lot he owns west of the company’s current plant. The lot is now zoned C4 fringe commercial and would become I-1 light industrial. The current plant was recently rezoned itself from I/C industrial commercial to I-1.

The city’s comprehensive plan has viewed the lot as industrial, Planning and Zoning Director Rebecca Bowers told the commission.

As Daggett’s plans move forward, screening of the site from the Best Western Victorian Inn to the west will be required, Bowers added. Screening from the Luce Line Trail and the city’s West River Park on the south will be delayed until the city’s decides on its plan for improving Les Kouba Parkway in that area.

Daggett said Hutchinson Manufacturing, along with a partner, will occupy the building.

Read more about this in the Leader’s March 19 print edition.

(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)