The Waterloo Board of Adjustments on Aug. 26 refused to grant a multi-year extension to RPM Motor Company for a temporary storage container on a property across from 2701 Falls Ave., and directed the container be removed by Oct. 31, 2025.
Staff member Grama said the container had previously been granted a temporary variance on Feb. 27, 2024, allowing it to remain through Aug. 27, 2025, and that the applicant requested a two-year extension while organizing the facility. The zoning code (Chapter 5, 10-5-1[e]) prohibits storage containers on private property for more than 60 cumulative days in any 12-month period unless a temporary variance is granted, staff noted.
The applicant (representing RPM Motor Company) said management changes and a relocation of parts of the business require time to reorganize and to keep the site tidy. Board member Bovey criticized prior delays, noting the property has been the subject of citations and court delays and that the business had had roughly 2½ years to resolve the issue. “I just find it difficult to … grant another 2 year variance,” Bovey said.
Staff member Schrader told the board that staff had recommended two years based on the applicant’s logistics but agreed a one-year extension would be reasonable. The board considered a one-year extension motion but the motion failed on a split vote; after further discussion, the board set a firm removal deadline of Oct. 31, 2025 (a 60-day extension from the existing Aug. 27 deadline) and ordered the structure removed by that date.
The board’s final decision was enforcement-focused: the temporary variance will expire and the storage container must be removed by Oct. 31, 2025. Staff and board members discussed enforcement scheduling and the possibility of code citations if the container remains after the deadline.