Local firm asks to buy vacant parcel for employee parking
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Summary
Valley Refrigeration asked council for permission to purchase a small vacant parcel across from its shop to create off-street parking for fleet vehicles, saying the parcel was previously listed under the village CRA program and that zoning and county approvals would follow purchase.
Mike Henson, speaking for Valley Refrigeration and Commercial Service, told the council Dec. 22 that business growth has strained on-site parking and that a small vacant parcel across from the company would serve as a private, well-maintained employee parking lot.
Henson said the company has grown from about 16 employees five years ago to roughly 35 today and estimated the parcel could accommodate roughly 10–12 vehicles. He said the parcel was previously listed under the village’s CRA program at $3,560 and that Valley Refrigeration is not seeking tax abatements or other incentives.
Village Manager Gaines Brown and council members reminded Henson the purchase and conversion would require additional administrative steps: council approval to release or sell the parcel, zoning review and, where applicable, Hamilton County sign-offs and permits. Brown said the village solicitor was not available to prepare legislation for that evening’s meeting, so Henson was advised to return when a formal sale or ordinance could be brought forward.
Council members asked about fence and site treatments; Henson said the company envisions a chain-link fence to maintain visibility at the corner and would comply with zoning and village permit requirements before using the lot.
No ordinance or sale was voted on that night; council signaled that the request would move through the planning/zoning and legislative steps if Valley Refrigeration returns with formal paperwork.