Eriberto (Eric) Chavez Arriaga was granted a variance of use to operate an automotive body and paint shop in a C-3 commercial zoning district at 14487, Lincoln Highway west of Plymouth during Tuesday night’s Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals meeting.
City Planning Consultant Ralph Booker told the board that a body shop is not an approved use or a special use in a C-3 Commercial Corridor. He said while most of the businesses in the area are industrial in nature and a body shop would be permitted, the special use is needed for the body shop due to the commercial zoning.
Looking at the Comprehensive Plan the future land use map shows the area as Neighborhood Commercial with mixed uses. It was commented that none of the businesses in the area appear to be leaving in the near future and an industrial zone is more appropriate.
Arriaga purchased the entire piece of property at 14487 Lincoln Highway, the former DC Garage Door shop last year and plans to relocate his current business to the location.
Local attorney, Roy Rouch spoke on behalf of Arriaga and said the business would fit in with the existing businesses in the area.
Arriaga said he has a new paint booth that is EPA certified and will vent the fumes from the front of the building and upward.
Two people spoke with concerns of the variance, Jay Stone who lives and owns a building directly to the west and James Stone who lives across the street and leases the business next to the proposed business.
Jay Stone was concerned on the flammable liquids that would be stored in the building and with the fumes.
Arriaga said the filters on the vent will remove any contaminates before the air is release out into the exterior vent.
James Stone asked about the dust from the body shop and Arriaga said the sanders he uses have vacuums on them to collect the dust. The only dust will come from vehicles driving in and out of the property. He also asked about the IDEM body shop regulations and who checks on them.
ZA president Art Jacobs said they are only concerned with the zoning and not federal regulations.
Members of the Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals approved the variance of use with three members: Jacobs, Allen Selge and Mark Gidley voting yes and alternate Greg Compton abstaining because Mr. Arriaga is a customer of his at the bank.
