Hebron planning board approves parking-setback variance for Lear Corporation

The Village of Hebron Planning & Zoning Board voted unanimously Feb. 9 to approve a variance allowing Lear Corporation to expand its parking lot and reduce setback requirements to 5 feet on North High Street and 3 feet on Enterprise Drive for parcel 075-345324-00.007.

At a public hearing, Mark Antonetz, a civil engineer with partner firm Sands Decker, said he attended in support of Lear’s application. Steve Austin, Environmental Safety and Health Manager for Lear, told the board that the company “has a consistent issue with shift changes” and needs additional parking to keep workers safe as new contracts return work to the U.S. He also explained that a rear lot is used for hazardous-material shipments, limiting its routine use by general employees.

The packet included an amendment clarifying that the previously described zero-foot dimension on a plan represents three feet between the proposed parking stall and the property line. No members of the public registered objections during the hearing.

Mayor Valerie Mockus moved to approve the variance as amended; Mr. Steve Unwin seconded. The motion passed unanimously with Mr. Rick Stoner, Mr. Scott Jacobs, Mr. Unwin and Mayor Mockus voting in favor; Vice Chair Randy Wolf was absent.

Next steps noted in the meeting record include the applicant moving forward with final site-plan details and compliance with any building- or fire-department requirements for access and setbacks. The board record does not specify permit timelines or construction start dates.