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Board approves contractor-storage variance allowing asphalt millings and 80% lot coverage near East Chicago and Riley
Summary
The Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a variance to allow asphalt millings and up to 80% lot coverage for a contractor storage yard northwest of East Chicago Street and Riley Avenue, citing the lot's legal nonconforming size and the heavy equipment use that would damage hard surfacing.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a variance on July 24 permitting asphalt millings in place of standard hard surfacing and allowing 80% lot coverage where the Light Industrial District limits coverage to 75% for a property northwest of East Chicago Street and Riley Avenue.
City staff told the board the applicant proposes a contractor storage yard (a permitted use in Light Industrial) that would store heavy construction equipment and a shipping container on a lot that was platted in 1870 and is legal nonconforming for minimum lot size. Staff said heavy tracked equipment is likely to deteriorate conventional hard surfacing and that the proposed area to be surfaced with millings is about 7,015 square feet—roughly 80% of the lot—hence the lot-coverage variance.
Staff recommended approval with conditions: a drainage report at building permit submittal, installation of sidewalk along East Chicago Street, a revised site plan (current driveway shown at 10 feet must meet a 16-foot standard), and an annual dust palliative requirement. Staff also reminded the board that shipping containers are considered structures and must have a building permit before placement.
Commissioners asked about traffic and long-term maintenance. Staff and public-works representatives said the storage yard is expected to generate low traffic, that similar millings have been used in nearby light-industrial areas, and that the city can require owners to bring failing surfaces up to code if the lot deteriorates. Commissioners suggested tracking performance of existing milling sites to inform any future ordinance changes for contractor yards.
Karen moved approval; Vince seconded. The motion carried by voice vote; no individual no votes were recorded in the hearing minutes. Approval included staff stipulations: drainage report and revised site plan at building permit, sidewalk installation, driveway width correction, annual dust palliative, and that the undeveloped portion remain as drainage and landscaping.
Staff noted public-works requirements will be enforced at the permit stage and that the legal nonconforming lot size and nature of heavy equipment storage constituted the special circumstances supporting the variance.
