La Verne appeals board upholds city order to clear vehicle storage, limit repairs at 535 Old Nashville Highway

The La Verne Board of Zoning Appeals voted on March 20, 2025, to uphold a November 21, 2024, letter from city codes staff ordering operations at 535 Old Nashville Highway to come into compliance with city codes, including a cease-and-desist on heavy mechanic work and removal or relocation of certain stored vehicles and unpermitted trailers.

The action affects a property identified in the hearing as C-2 (Highway Service) zoning and owned, according to the packet, by Lehi Warnecke. The petition before the board was an appeal by David Morale Driggers, the site operator, who said he has operated car sales, a repair shop and a tow/storage operation at the address since the mid-1990s. Tom Reed, an attorney for Driggers, argued the use was lawful and presented historical licensing and permit material to the board.

The board’s decision followed a staff presentation and an extended applicant statement. City planning staff displayed aerial and zoning maps showing the site at the corner of Old Nashville Highway and Blue Valley Drive and noted the property’s C-2 designation. City codes staff told the board their position: “it is our position that in 02/2004 he was approved to…