Merrillville zoning board defers one variance, approves used‑car lot and sports training facility

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…