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Board approves Conlon Farms variance for multi-building storage facility with drainage condition
Summary
The Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a use variance allowing construction of a multi-building storage facility at Conlon Farms, with conditions requiring drainage and survey approvals after neighbors raised traffic and runoff concerns.
The Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals on July 15 approved a use variance for Conlon Farms to build a multi‑building storage facility along Michigan Road, provided the applicant completes required drainage and survey approvals.
The board approved the variance after staff and the technical review committee (TRC) recommended conditional approval. The applicant proposes a phased project on a 54.91‑acre site; the first phase would include five buildings — one 50-by-150 foot building, one 50-by-50 foot building and two 75-by-200 foot buildings — and additional buildings in later phases. Staff and TRC noted the parcel may need to be legally combined for construction across parcel lines and recommended approval contingent on the county surveyor and plan director signing off on drainage plans.
Why it matters: The project converts large agricultural parcels into corridor commercial use near U.S. 31 and Michigan Road, changing traffic patterns and local runoff characteristics. Neighbors said public safety and drainage needed careful review before work begins.
Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing raised visibility and flooding concerns. David Kenny, a nearby resident who said he has run local theaters for decades, described past crashes on Michigan Road and warned of safety risks if vehicles enter and exit the storage site: “I’ve seen so many accidents … people … going 65, 70 miles an hour.” Other neighbors asked how addresses and access off Michigan Road would be handled and whether detention/retention would prevent runoff toward adjacent low‑lying properties.
County staff said an engineer prepared a multi‑page drainage plan that was reviewed by TRC and the county surveyor. The board included those technical approvals as a condition of its vote.
Motion and vote: A motion to approve the variance with the TRC/staff conditions was made by Don (board member) and seconded by Larry Huney (board member/secretary). Roll call recorded Bennett — yes; Williams — yes; Rockaway — yes; Gustafson — yes; Huney — yes. The motion carried.
Next steps: The applicant must finalize survey/legal parcel combinations and obtain drainage approval from the county surveyor and plan director before receiving final permits. The board recorded the approvals and closed the public hearing.
