Norton BZA approves variance allowing Black Horse Logistics fleet parking at 2970 Barber Road

NORTON, Ohio — The City of Norton Board of Zoning and Building Appeals on Feb. 18 approved a variance (BZA A-3) allowing Black Horse Logistics to use 2970 Barber Road for fleet parking, with the board capping on-site parking at 20 vehicles.

Zoning administrator Bill Grama presented the parcel as an I-1 (light industrial) lot that has recurring water issues and portions that fall within FEMA floodplain or riparian areas. "There's something all through the property," Grama said, describing wet areas that could affect future buildability.

Agent Vinny Sula, representing owner Ivan Samsack and Black Horse Logistics, told the board his client is under contract to purchase the property and seeks assurance the intended use is permitted before closing. "Before finalizing the transaction, my client would like to confirm that his intended use of the property will be permitted with the city," Sula said, and described a site plan showing a paved area at the front and industrial gravel for fleet parking sized to hold roughly "5 to 15 trucks." He also acknowledged the site's flood-zone constraints and said any future construction would follow city permitting and engineering review.

Board members pressed the applicant on traffic, surfacing and mud tracking onto Barber Road. One member asked about daily in-and-out truck counts; Sula replied the likely daily activity would be about five trucks, with parking capacity for more. Members expressed concern that unpaved areas could deposit mud onto the street, and discussed requiring a semi-hard surface up to the paved frontage to reduce debris on public roads.

After discussion, a motion was made to approve the variance to allow fleet parking at 2970 Barber Road with a restriction "not to exceed 20 vehicles at a time." The motion was seconded. The secretary called the roll and members voted in favor; the chair then declared the hearing closed and the variance approved.

Staff told the applicant the variance paperwork would be posted on the city's website and that he would receive an email from city staff with the document the next day. Grama and other staff also reminded the applicant that any future paving or building would require planning commission review and engineering approval.

The BZA also moved through routine business: the board approved minutes from December 16, 2025, and January 5 and 21, 2026 (with several abstentions recorded on one vote) before adjourning.