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Council grants 10-year conditional variances for automobile-storage use at 31 Rock Street
Summary
Marietta approved a set of variances allowing outdoor storage and related uses at 31 Rock Street for 10 years or until transfer of title, with conditions requiring maintenance of striping, paving and fencing.
The Marietta City Council voted to approve a package of variances for 31 Rock Street on Tuesday, allowing continued outdoor storage and automobile sales-related activity at the site for a limited period and with maintenance conditions.
The applicant, VC Properties I, LLC, sought variances to permit continued outdoor storage (including inventory linked to automobile sales), to allow outdoor storage outside of a six-foot fence, to exceed the 25% land-area limit for outdoor storage, to permit outdoor storage as a primary use in CRC zoning, and to allow outdoor storage within 50 feet of residentially zoned properties or within 25 feet of city right of way. Jane Hawkins, who identified herself as the property owner/operator, said the site has been used in similar fashion for decades and that recent street widening reduced their available parking.
Council discussion focused on limiting the approvals in time and ensuring site upkeep. A council member proposed, and the council adopted, a 10-year approval period or until transfer of title, whichever comes first. Members also added stipulations requiring the applicant to maintain parking-striping, the asphalt surface, fencing, and other site conditions described during the hearing. The council voted to approve the request as amended; the clerk recorded the motion as carried unanimously.
Nut graf: The council’s decision allows the existing storage and vehicle-related activities to continue at 31 Rock Street under explicitly time-limited variances and with conditions intended to preserve site appearance and limit long-term nonconforming use in a redeveloping area.
The record includes an explicit statement from council that the variances run for 10 years or until a transfer of title, and that the maintenance stipulations remain in force for that period. No additional monetary penalties or enforcement timelines were announced; enforcement would follow standard code compliance channels should conditions not be met.
Several residents and nearby business representatives spoke in favor of allowing the site to continue operating under conditions; no recorded public opposition appeared in the transcript.
