H-J Enterprises Gets OK to Proceed With Expansion of High Ridge Facility

H-J Enterprises, Inc., 3010 High Ridge Blvd. High Ridge, is seeking to add about 40,000 square feet to its facility on 6217 Highway PP in High Ridge and was seeking a variance to Jefferson County zoning regulations in order to do so.

It received approval for the variances at Thursday's meeting of the Planning band Zoning Commission.

H-J president Jay Sheckelton, said the new space would be used to increase the company's warehouse capacity by about 40,000 square feet and to create a 10,000 square-foot high voltage testing lab. As a long-range result of the expansion, Sheckleton said the company ultimately hopes to add 35-40 people to the payroll.

"We have a great work force," he said. "We draw from quite a wide area, but mostly from Jefferson County."

Sheckelton said H-J is a manufacturer and distributor or products for the electric industry. The company has offices or distribution sites around the globe, including locations in Bogota, Colombia, Barcelona, Spain, The Netherlands, Toronto, Canada,two in Mexico, the Philippines and in the Middle East.

H-J's current building dates to the 1960s. In order to build the additional space, the company needed a variance in Jefferson County zoning regulations pertaining to the width of its entrance onto Highway PP and the thickness of the pavement on its driveways and parking lot.

The request for approval of a deviation to the zoning requirements was initially forwarded to the Jefferson County Public Works Department.

Sam Hoyt, of Public Works, noted in a memo that the H-J facility was built prior to implementation of the Jefferson County planning and zoning ordinances.

As to the entrance to the H-J property, Hoyt's memo stated: "We are not aware of any problems or concerns with the entrance. The existing entrance pavement is in good shape despite daily truck use."

Hoyt's memo also indicated the Public Works Department was not opposed to the deviation requests.

Similarly, Hoyt's memo also indicated the thickness of the driveway and parking lot pavement at H-J was not an issue.

The Jefferson County Planning Division reviewed the public works report and recommended approval of the zoning deviations.

"The existing drive is in good condition," Hoyt's memo stated. "The existing parking lot and drive aisle exhibit pavement distress with potholes and alligator cracking evident."

Hoyt's memo added: "Since this is a private lot which is privately maintained for the use of the manufacturing operation, the Public Works Department is not opposed to granting the deviation."

The Planning and Zoning Commission agreed, approving the deviation requests at its meeting Thursday night.