Lawrence BZA unanimously OKs AutoZone variance for 5.5-acre Post Road site

The Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously granted AutoZone Development a variance July 15 to allow an AutoZone retail store on a 5.5‑acre parcel at 104700 North Post Road, overriding a transit‑oriented overlay limit that restricts automotive service uses to lots of 0.5 acre or smaller.

The variance clears a legal obstacle created when permit staff classified the proposed use as an auto service facility, which triggers a parcel‑size limit in the City of Indianapolis consolidated zoning and subdivision ordinance’s transit‑oriented overlay. Proponents told the board the project is primarily retail and that the site’s size and existing condition create a practical difficulty for redevelopment.

Joe Calderon, attorney for AutoZone Development, said the board previously granted a special exception for store size and other variances last November and that this request is intended to align the project with the rules the permitting office enforces. “The crux of the variance request is this,” Calderon said, describing the parcel as the former go‑kart facility north of 46th and Post and noting the property’s state of disrepair.

Calderon and Jason Hall, the project civil engineer with Prism Engineering, told the board the revised site plan reduces paving facing Post Road, moves all parking to the rear, and increases landscaped green space. Hall said the new plan eliminates parking between Post Road and the west‑facing building and that the site would be “a little more than 50% green space.” The petitioner argued those design changes support the variance by limiting impervious surface and improving frontage along Post Road.

A member of the public, Joseph West, asked whether the project could preserve elements of the site’s prior putt‑putt course; petitioners responded that the area at issue is planned for stormwater detention and that reclaiming existing improvements would be difficult.

Renee Rafla, interim director of public works for the City of Lawrence, told the board the city supports the petition. “We greatly appreciate the revision and moving the parking lot to the other side off of Post Road,” Rafla said, and asked the board to vote favorably.

The board voted to grant the variance. The petitioner and city staff said the project will continue through plan review and permitting.

Plans and prior approvals: petitioners said the store footprint and many design features were previously considered by the board in November; the current request is limited to the transit‑oriented overlay parcel‑size standard. Petitioners said the proposed AutoZone will perform retail functions (parts sales and limited customer assistance) and will not include full‑service bays or oil‑change operations.