Rezoning OK’d

A zoning change has been approved to clear the way for a business to move its Portland headquarters.

Portland Plan Commission on Thursday approved a rezoning request from Brigade Electronics for the Tyson Road property it is in the process of purchasing from Jay School Corporation.

Corey Heniser, CEO of Brigade Electronics Inc., requested that the property at 1976 W. Tyson Road be rezoned to highway service from the current low-density residential. The company’s $425,000 purchase of the property, which currently houses the Jay Schools administrative offices, was contingent on the rezoning.

Brigade plans to make the site its new U.S. headquarters.

The company currently rents space at the southeast corner of Pearl and Depot streets in Portland for its offices and also rents warehouse space in one of the former Patriot Paints buildings on Water Street.

“You’ve been a great employer here,” said plan commission member Randy Geesaman prior to the vote. “We appreciate the fact that you’re taking a look at the city of Portland. We’re glad to see you guys are here.”

There was no public comment on the request.

Plan commission members Lee Newman, Janet Powers, Steve McIntosh, Don Gillespie, Bart Darby, Ron Laux, Kyle Cook at Geesaman unanimously approved the rezoning request.

Jay School Corporation plans to move its administrative offices to the General Shanks building following the end of the current school year.

Brigade, which is based in England, was formed in 1976 and provides safety equipment for vehicles of all kinds. Its offerings include back-up cameras, lighting, digital recording systems and obstacle detection.

“Everything from off-road to on-road vehicles,” said Heniser. “We do a lot in the mining industry. … A lot of electric utility, waste companies, airport vehicles.”

Heniser explained that while acting as the U.S. headquarters the Portland location also serves Mexico. He said plans are in the works to add warehouse space to make Portland the supply hub for the company’s business throughout the western hemisphere.

Also Thursday, plan commission welcomed Geesaman as its new member. The former mayor of Portland is filling a seat that has been vacant since last summer.

The group also decided to move its regular meeting time to 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, as needed. The meetings had been scheduled for 5 p.m.