The Town of Merrillville zoning board postponed one variance 30 days and voted 3‑0 to approve a special exception for a used‑car dealership and a variance of use for an athletic training facility.

The board deferred a pending variance, case Z15V40525, after the petitioner did not appear. A board member moved to defer the case 30 days and staff agreed to send written notice to the petitioner. The motion to defer passed by voice/roll call with three members voting in favor and two members absent.

Mark Johnson, petitioner and owner of Luxury Motor, asked the board for special‑exception approval for Z24E13‑0925 to operate a used‑car dealership at 7809 Tap Street in a C‑2 community commercial zoning district. In a staff report, planning staff described the requested special exception from section 21‑1‑36 to allow a used auto sales use on a 2.064‑acre site and said the property previously had approval for a used auto dealership. Staff said the petitioner proposed exterior remodeling, new signage, paving and striping of the lot, and continued use of existing pole lights; internal services would include car washing, detailing and oil changes but no engine work. Staff reported the proposed hours of operation are Monday‑Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with three employees and an inventory of about 50–100 cars.

Johnson told the board, “We sell, like, a nice cars, and, it's a used vehicle and almost new with a good price,” describing Luxury Motor as a dealer of late‑model used cars. The board voted 3‑0 to approve the special exception with three conditions limiting the approval to this petitioner, this location and this use; the decision was recorded as a favorable recommendation that will go to the Town Council for final approval.

The board also considered Z25UV70925, a variance of use requested by Alvin Lacy, owner of Legacy Sports, to move an athletic training facility to 1201 East 86th Place (a 2.95‑acre site in an M‑1 limited industrial district). Lacy described the move as needed to accommodate larger equipment and private, position‑specific training for youth, high‑school and some college/pro athletes. He said the facility would serve athletes from Merrillville and neighboring communities and noted discussions with local businesses about sponsorships.

Staff reported the variance would allow Legacy Sports to operate with membership requirements, carry liability insurance, collect signed waivers from participants and run a scheduled program (youth classes 5–6 p.m.; high‑school classes 6–7 p.m.; Saturday positional training and court rentals). Staff noted the petitioner currently employs four people (the petitioner, two sons and his wife). The board approved the variance of use 3‑0, with the motion limited to this petitioner, this location and this use.

Votes at a glance

• Z15V40525 — Variance from development standards: motion to defer 30 days; vote: postponed (3 yes, 2 absent); staff to send written notice to petitioner.

• Z24E13‑0925 — Special exception to allow a used auto dealership (Luxury Motor) at 7809 Tap Street: approved by the board 3‑0 with three conditions (approval limited to petitioner/location/use); forwarded to Town Council for final approval.

• Z25UV70925 — Variance of use to permit Legacy Sports athletic training facility at 1201 East 86th Place (M‑1): approved by the board 3‑0; approval limited to petitioner/location/use.

All three items were considered in a single public hearing session; staff reports and petitioner presentations preceded each vote. The board recorded three members present for votes and two members absent. For the deferred case staff said it will provide written notice and recalendar the matter for the board’s next meeting.

Proper names, referenced sections and procedural limits are as described in the hearing record; the board’s approvals for the two uses were limited explicitly to the named petitioners, the specified sites and the uses presented to the board.