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Lancaster BZA grants parking paving variance for Family Ties Diner with stripe condition
Summary
The Lancaster Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved an Area Variance allowing continued use of a gravel lot at 2465 East Main St. while deferring full re‑paving; the board required the applicant to stripe the existing area within six months.
The Lancaster Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 10 unanimously granted an Area Variance to allow the continued use of a gravel parking area at 2465 East Main Street, subject to a requirement that the applicant stripe the existing parking area within six months.
Tonia Harlev, the applicant associated in the record with Family Ties Diner, said the restaurant opened after partial repairs but was unable to complete the full lot re‑paving by the board’s prior deadline following an electrical fire on July 11, 2025; she said the business reopened Sept. 19, 2025 and had operated 52 days since reopening, which she said left insufficient revenue to fund the full re‑paving. Harlev said the estimate she received to repave the lot was $51,677.
Zoning Administrator Andrew Lundell reviewed the board’s October 2024 variance that had required re‑paving by Oct. 15, 2025 and explained that staff cannot administratively extend a condition imposed by the board; LCO §1143.06(b) prohibits gravel for off‑street parking areas. The board discussed lot size, layout, and whether the estimate covered the entire parking area before proceeding to a motion.
Tom James moved to approve the Area Variance from the paving requirement, with a condition that the applicant stripe the existing area within six months; Rebecca Anderson seconded. The board voted unanimously to grant the variance and signed an entry noting the approval.
The variance was granted under the board’s authority to hear Area Variances; the record notes LCO §1157.05(1) for timing of similar variance applications. The board’s action permits the property to continue operating with the existing gravel surface under the stated condition while the owner pursues permanent repaving.
