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BZA approves food-truck storage variance with conditions after neighbor questions on grease and water
Summary
The board granted use variance U-26-07 to allow a family-run food-truck business to store two trucks and a trailer at 10612 North Mann Road, subject to three conditions: indoor parking when vehicles are on site, no commercial signage, and no automotive repairs that would disturb neighbors. Neighbors raised concerns about grease disposal and potential impacts to well water.
The Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals on July 27 approved use variance U-26-07 to permit a food-truck operator to construct a pole barn and store two trucks and a small trailer at 10612 North Mann Road in Madison Township, with unanimous approval and three conditions recommended by staff.
Petitioner Jason Saladin described a seasonal, family-run food and catering business that has operated since 1998 and said the requested pole barn would be used primarily for off-season storage and occasional equipment preparation. "This is a seasonal business... there would be little or no activity at this property except for checking on it," Saladin told the board, saying trucks would be pulled to events and returned to the building at night.
Neighbors and nearby residents raised questions during public comment about grease disposal, trash and local water quality. Carlos Lechuga asked, "How he was planning to clean the trucks... I'm against it" and expressed concern that grease and trash could create flies and odors affecting nearby homes. Tim Wolsey, an interested party, said he was not opposed but worried about wastewater runoff and the visual scale of a pole barn, asking whether the building could be imposing and whether septic and water systems could handle rinse water.
Staff and the health department described their review: the septic system had been inspected and staff recommended conditional approval if the board required trucks be parked inside when on site, prohibited commercial signage and prohibited automotive repairs that could disturb neighbors. The petitioner said he would use a commissary for grease disposal, obtain residential trash service and that gray water from minor on-site hand wash would be routed to the existing septic; he estimated truck return by 10 p.m. on the rare late-night events.
After discussion about compatibility with surrounding agricultural zoning and the limited nature of the proposed use, a board member moved to approve the variance with the three conditions. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
The approval allows the petitioner to construct accessory storage for his business subject to the three conditions and any applicable building, health and safety permits; if the property is sold, the special use may or may not remain in effect depending on whether the board ties the approval to the individual or the property in later action.
