Planning and Zoning Commission approves variance allowing Leon Holdings to remove lower concrete pavement

The Planning and Zoning Commission on March 25, 2025, approved a variance request from Matt Leon of Leon Holdings to remove concrete pavement in a lower parking area beneath an existing retaining wall and leave that area as gravel.

The request affects parking area located below the retaining wall at the applicant’s property. Planning staff reported that the change would "keep the hard surface on both sides of the building including the handicap parking," and that the posted public notice and application materials were available to the Commission. "It will keep the hard surface on both sides of the building including the handicap parking," a planning staff member said during the meeting.

In presenting the request, Matt Leon, owner of Leon Holdings, told the Commission the lower area is not needed for his construction business's everyday operations. "I have five office employees, and we have eight or nine parking spaces for them," Leon said. He said equipment is stored on gravel elsewhere and that the lower area is rarely used except sometimes in winter. "I don't have anybody parking there," he said, adding he does not operate retail business from the site.

A commissioner voiced a resale concern — that a future owner might use the lower area differently — but commissioners and staff noted the proposal would retain the building's accessible parking and hard surfaces adjacent to the structure. The Commission opened and closed discussion by motions and approved the variance by voice vote; the transcript records the motion as passed by voice and does not include a roll-call tally.

The action was limited to the variance for removal of the concrete pavement below the retaining wall. No permit approvals, conditions, or next steps beyond the variance recommendation were specified in the recorded discussion.

The meeting proceeded to adjourn shortly after the vote.