1986-06-25 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Minutes - Plan commissio~ Page 2 June 25, 1986 . Chairman Hamilton called upon Sarah Elwood, Zoning Administrator, to comment on Mr. Berger's request. Ms. Elwood stated that planning staff had no objection to the interim use of the property as a parking lot. Staff recommended approval of the application subject to the condition that deteriorated or inadequate paving is repaired. Ms. Schuman asked Ms. Elwood if planning staff also wanted conditions placed on the property regarding landscaping or blocking off the perimeter of the lot for limited access. Ms. Elwood stated that such items were only suggestions for Mr. Bergers interest in limited use of the lot. Ms. Schuman questioned Mr. Berger about the length of time the lot had been for sale and what his leasing arrangements were for the use of the lot. Mr. Berger replied that the lot had been for sale for five years and that he rented space on a month-to- month basis. Mr. Rice asked Mr. Berger about the statement in his application regarding parking of three of four trailers twice a year for the distribution of telephone books. Mr. Berger replied that he leases space on the lot to Southwestern Bell twice a year for approximately 30 days each time as a service for the distribution of telephone books. Mr. Berger also stated that he now leases 22 spaces to Larry's Auto Center, Ind., at 6707 Vernon Avenue, which the business may use for cars waiting to be picked up by customers. Also Larry's Auto Center may park its tow truck there. Mr. Henry Rosenbloom of Vernon Avenue stated that Mr. Berger also leases space to a few residents of Vernon Avenue in order that they might park there and thus alleviate street parking. Four spaces were used for overnight parking and three other spaces were used during the day. Mr. Rosenbloom also stated that he and Mr. Berger had had problems in the past with about eight to ten cars on the lot whose owners had not leased space or obtained permission to park there, but this problem was being solved. Mr. Rice asked Chairman Hamilton if it would be desirable to limit approval of the conditional permit to one owner, namely Mr. Berger. Chairman Hamilton thought this would be a good idea. Mr. Rice stated that if use of the property as a parking lot extended far into the future, that it could be an aesthetic detriment to the neighborhood especially if the number of cars, condition of the pavement and access to the lot were not controlled. Mr. Rosenbloom stated that Larry's Auto Center had, at first, only been allowed daytime parking for employees and the tow truck. Mr. Washington realized there was a parking problem at Larry's Auto Center because of the size of the lot on which the business was located. Mayor Majerus stated that the Auto Center's Conditional Use Permit did not permit any overnight parking on the business property. Mr. Rosenbloom stated that Larry's Auto Center was an asset to the neighborhood and that use of Mr. Berger's lot at 6702 Vernon Avenue greatly helped the Auto Center's and other parking problems in the neighborhood. Mr. Rice asked if Mr. Berger what the likelihood was of his selling the property in the near future. Mr. Berger answered that the property had been on the market for five years; he could not speculate about its current marketability. Mr. Rosenbloom stated that in the past couple of years there had been two contracts to purchase the property, contingent upon zoning approval, one for a fast food restaurant another for a 7-11 store. Mr. Rice moved that the Plan Commission recommend approval of Mr. Berger's application for a conditional use permit subject to the following conditions: