Board approves Amazon facility variance for automated vehicle‑inspection structure at 10575 Memphis

The Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance Jan. 16 for an accessory building at the Amazon facility located at 10575 Memphis to house automated vehicle‑inspection equipment. The board recorded affirmative votes from Earl Bloom, Nick Marus and Craig Farcus.

An Amazon facility representative described the proposed structure as a tunnel equipped with cameras and scanners that would visually inspect delivery vans as they return from routes. The representative said the system would identify exterior damage or other visual conditions that could make a vehicle unsafe; vehicles flagged by the system would be routed for repairs rather than returned to service immediately. "It's a tunnel within that building ... a number of cameras and scanners that will scan throughout the exterior of the vehicle to determine if there's any visual ... damage to the vehicle that would render it unsafe for the roads," the representative said.

Board members clarified that the accessory building would not be used for mechanical repair and would be unoccupied except for the inspection equipment. Vehicles would drive slowly through the tunnel for automated scanning. After brief discussion the board approved the variance by roll call.

The transcript does not record the mover by name; the motion was made, seconded and approved during the meeting record.