Jamestown zoning board approves variance to allow indoor storage of repossessed vehicles at 811 North Main Street

The Jamestown Zoning Board of Appeals voted 6-0 on May 6 to grant a use variance that will allow indoor warehousing of repossessed vehicles at 811 North Main Street.

The application, listed in the public notice as filed by a Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, was presented at the hearing by John Felton, who identified himself as CEO of Southern Utah Public Radio. Felton described the proposed space as an indoor storage area for vehicles the company repossesses before they are offered for sale online.

Why it matters: Warehousing of vehicles is not permitted in C-2 zoning without ZBA approval under the sections read into the record; the variance clears a zoning barrier that would otherwise prevent the planned use at this North Main Street location.

Felton told the board the operation typically repossesses roughly five to 10 vehicles a month. He said owners have a 10-day redemption period, after which vehicles may be offered in an online auction; in some instances vehicles could remain on site for longer before sale. "We try everything we can not to take somebody's car," Felton said. "Our focus is to keep people in transportation so they can stay employed." He estimated the proposed interior would hold about 15 vehicles and said overflow would be managed at another branch or a corporate facility rather than parked overnight at the Main Street site.

On building safeguards, Felton said the space will have a concrete floor with drainage, double drywall, a sprinkler system and ventilation to meet code requirements, and separate access and camera systems so repo agents can access stored vehicles without disrupting normal business operations.

Felton also addressed how the use was classified under zoning rules. He told the board there will be no vehicle repair on site and that typical garage turnaround times (1–5 days) do not describe this use; because storage could extend for weeks in some cases, he argued the proposed use is most analogous to warehousing and therefore required ZBA approval.

The board solicited public comment on the variance; no one spoke and the clerk reported no written comments had been submitted.

After board discussion the Zoning Board moved to vote. The clerk called the roll for Mister Kenyon, Mister Thomas, Mister Penobanca, Missus Jones, Mister Maraglia and Chairwoman Detonca; the motion passed on a 6-0 vote. Chairwoman Detonca told the applicant to meet with the city's code officer to ensure all permitting and code requirements are met before proceeding.

The meeting then adjourned. The board did not record any conditions beyond the instruction to coordinate with city code staff on compliance.