The Cityland Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve a development standards variance for 651 South Enterprise Boulevard on Sept. 2, allowing a fenced and screened outdoor storage area for a tenant of a multi-tenant industrial building.

Lebanon planning staff had recommended approval of Docket 2541, saying the proposed outdoor storage would be set back from State Route 39, would not obstruct required truck access, and would include fencing and new plantings to reduce visibility from the thoroughfare. "Lebanon planning staff recommends approval of the development standards variance request to permit outdoor storage within the thoroughfare overlay district subject to the proposed conditions," a planning staff member identified in the meeting as Ben told the board.

Planning staff described the site as located in light industrial zoning within the Thoroughfare Overlay District, which covers properties within 400 feet of State Route 39. Staff noted that the outdoor-storage area proposed for the rear of the building sits about 700 feet from State Route 39 and that the applicant proposed an 8-foot solid vinyl fence along the east side (the side facing State Route 39), vinyl-coated chain-link on the north and west sides, and new evergreen and arborvitae plantings to screen the area.

Bill Carlson of CityMark, representing the applicant (City Mart Lebanon LLC), told the board the building is 170,000 square feet and that the tenant, Kirby Risk, would occupy about 85,000 square feet. "They'll store primarily, I think, electrical components," Carlson said. He said the outdoor area would be used to store plastic pipe and added, "my guess is it won't go above that 8 feet." The board did note on the record that the approval did not include a separate numeric limit on the height of materials stored within the fenced area beyond the requirement that the fence itself be at least 8 feet tall.

At the meeting the board moved to approve Docket 2541 "as written" with the staff-recommended conditions: that outdoor storage be restricted to the location shown on the approved site plan and within the proposed fence; that the fence material on the east side be at least 8 feet tall and solid vinyl and substantially similar to the example submitted; and that the applicant install the specified evergreen and arborvitae plantings. The motion passed with four affirmative votes from board members present: Corey (first name only in the record), Bruce Pauley, Ron Edwards and Laurie Groves.

Planning staff emphasized the three variance criteria considered: that approval would not be injurious to public health, safety or welfare; that nearby property use and value would not be substantially affected; and that strict application of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) would create practical difficulties for the property owner. Staff concluded the request met those tests given the site's distance from the roadway, its industrial surroundings and the proposed screening measures.

The board did not add additional conditions addressing storage height limits or types of materials beyond the location, fencing and landscaping requirements recorded in the motion. The applicant and staff confirmed the fenced area allows a two-way truck path behind the storage area to maintain access to an adjacent building.

No members of the public spoke during the public comment portion of the item. The board completed the single agenda item and adjourned; the chair announced the next meeting would be Monday, Oct. 6.