Avon BZA approves Ray Skillman special exception and two variances for US‑36 dealership site

The Avon Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a special exception (SA2501) and two variances (VAR2501a and VAR2501b) to allow an automotive sales, leasing and service facility (a Mazda dealership) on a subdivided parcel of a larger commercial tract along U.S. 36.

Planning staff recommended approval, saying the U.S. 36 corridor is the town’s primary location for auto sales and that the proposed use is consistent with surrounding dealerships. Staff noted earlier approvals for the same site were granted in 2015 but expired when construction did not commence; the petitioner and staff said the Ray Skillman group built a Hyundai dealership on a different lot after those approvals and has retained ownership of the subject property since then.

The petitioner, Derek Snyder of Crossroad Engineers, described a primary plat that would divide the overall tract (more than 27 acres) and create a 6.11‑acre parcel for the Mazda dealership. Snyder and the planning staff said the site lies within the U.S. 36 overlay and touches tier 1 in the…