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ZBA denies The Home Depotrequest for permanent outdoor storage at Hoover site
Summary
Warren City Zoning Board of Appeals denied a request from The Home Depot to allow permanent outdoor storage totaling 10,937 square feet, after board members and a resident raised enforcement and neighborhood impact concerns. Planning staff had recommended postponement until site-plan review.
The Zoning Board of Appeals of Warren City voted to deny The Home Depotrequest to allow a total of 10,937 square feet of permanent outdoor storage at its Hoover Avenue location, citing neighborhood detriment and repeated, unresolved changes to the property.
The decision came after planning staff told the board the petitioner had not completed a revised site plan and that the planning commission would consider site-plan approval on July 28, 2025. Planning staff recommended postponing local zoning action until that planning review was complete.
Board members debated enforcement and precedent. Several members said the store had repeatedly sought variances and appeared to be using temporary approvals to extend the retail storage season. "It just doesn't look good," said one board member, adding the repeated requests felt like a "shell game." Planning staff explained the board typically does not enforce an activity that is before planning; however, if the ZBA denied a request tonight enforcement could follow because a denial would finalize zoning status.
A resident, Michael Flanagan, spoke during public comment and said the store should meet the same standards as other Warren businesses: "They should be held up to the same standard as anybody else in Warren, right? ... It's an eyesore, and I shop there all the time."
After discussion, Board Member Watts moved to deny the petition; Member Perry supported the motion. At roll call the motion carried (majority yes, one no). The board recorded reasons including detriment to the neighborhood, visual impacts and that the request was unnecessary.
The planning commission's pending site-plan review remains scheduled for July 28, 2025, and planning staff said they will continue to monitor the site and follow up on any violations discovered before that meeting.
What happens next: The denial is a final ZBA action. The planning commission hearing and any enforcement steps will proceed under the citys planning and code processes.
