Contractor shop at 9950 Hedden Road granted gravel‑parking and fencing exception for current business

The Board of Zoning Appeals approved March 20 a variance for 9950 Hedden Road allowing gravel parking in lieu of paved parking and relaxing the 8‑foot opaque fence requirement around an outdoor storage area, subject to the condition that the approvals apply only to the current business occupant.

Ryan Sermersheim, representing Henner Leiter Construction (the contractor working on the site), said the parcel sits in an industrial/commercial corridor near a dog food plant and a rail line and that several neighboring properties use gravel surfaces and limited fencing. He told the board the applicant stores traffic‑control equipment and cones and that the storage area is largely screened by trees and the railroad right of way.

Board members discussed local precedence — other businesses on Hedden Road with gravel lots and non‑opaque fencing — and expressed concern about future owners using the site differently. A motion to approve included the limitation that the relief apply only to the current business; that condition passed with the main motion by a 5–0 vote.

The Area Plan Commission record will reflect the conditional approval; board members noted the applicant will install a paved apron at the road to reduce track‑out while leaving the interior yard gravel.