The Kokomo City Board of Zoning Appeals voted to allow Fairway Ford Development LLC to pursue a 240-unit apartment project at the northwest corner of West Boulevard and South Berkeley Road, approving a special exception and a parking variance that reduces the city's standard parking requirement.

Chris Wilkes, representing Fairway Ford Development LLC, told the board the site comprises 10.161 acres and that the developer seeks a special exception under section 3.21 to allow up to 240 dwelling units. Wilkes said the development would be professionally managed and built to current building codes and that the developer would comply with other development standards.

City staff recommended approval, stating the apartments would be constructed to meet building codes, have dedicated parking and would not create safety hazards if built as proposed. Staff noted the property had previously received a variance and that this petition updates parking requests (case P14B25 referenced a related parking variance case).

Wilkes and staff explained the case for reducing parking: the developer proposed a parking ratio in line with a 1.5-spaces-per-unit standard being discussed by the city, reflecting broader transportation patterns (ride-sharing, scooters, bicycles and a city trolley). The petition originally advertised a variance for 136 spaces but was clarified in the hearing to a requested variance of 118 spaces, which the petitioner confirmed aligns with the 1.5 ratio.

Wilkes described amenities and site features including a large retention pond and two access points—one on West Boulevard and one on Berkeley—and said he expects to break ground this fall with full build-out in roughly 18 to 24 months. He said final unit mix and renderings remain under development; one concept in materials showed roughly 108 one-bedroom and 132 two-bedroom units, but Wilkes said final numbers will be set during plan approvals.

Residents and adjacent property representatives spoke during the hearing. Angela Coleheim, general counsel for Haines International, said Haines owns or is under contract to purchase adjacent property and asked that the board's action not change the M-3 zoning where Haines plans to develop; the board and staff confirmed the approvals were variances and special exceptions and would not change the property's underlying zoning designation.

Neighboring business owner Dave Myers asked about sidewalks; Wilkes and staff confirmed sidewalks would be provided. Questions about dumpsters and the retention pond were raised; Wilkes said dumpsters will meet architectural standards and not occupy required parking spaces and said the developer is still considering the degree of fencing or other treatments around the retention area, noting concerns that excessive fencing can attract attempts to breach barriers and that signage and other controls would be used.

The board made and seconded motions to approve Case P09SC25 (special exception for up to 240 units) and Case P14B25 (parking variance). The board recorded 'aye' and the motions passed. The approvals allow the petitioner to proceed to final site-plan review and permitting; detailed engineering, landscaping and drainage plans remain to be submitted and approved.