Towing business clears hurdle; heads to city council for final approval

BEDFORD — Questions about a zoning change’s compatibility with nearby businesses as well as the appearance of an impound lot were brought before the Bedford Plan Commission Tuesday.

Chad Stephens, owner of Bland’s Wrecker Service in Monroe County, plans to expand his tow service to the Bedford area. His plans call for placing an impound lot on a 5-acre lot at 1600 Williams Road. Later he plans to add self-storage units on the property. To do that, he requested a change from central business to light industrial.

Hillard Lewis, owner of the nearby Jim Day Furniture, said he didn’t oppose the business locating there but he was concerned that the change to light industrial zoning would be incompatible with the rest of the area, which is zoned for business.

Plan Director Brandon Woodward said light industrial is the appropriate zone for an impound lot and Stephens’ future plans of eventually adding self-storage units.

Commission members asked how the lot would operate and requested that the impound lot does not turn into a junkyard with vehicles left there indefinitely.

Stephens said vehicles would only be on the lot for more than 30 days and his employees make sure when vehicles are left on the lot, the battery is disengaged to prevent spontaneous blaring horns and a “diaper” is attached to catch any leaking fluids for vehicles damaged in a crash. He said he would erect a fence according to city specifications.

The type of fencing and aesthetics were other concerns. After some discussion and questions to Stephens about obscuring the vehicles from view, Stephens said he could attach a mesh fabric to the fence to hide the vehicles from public view.

The commission approved the rezoning request and added stipulations that vehicles not be left for more than 30 days and a mesh fabric be added to the fence. The rezoning is subject to approval by the Bedford City Council.

During a preliminary hearing, Daryl Peterson presented information about a plan to construct personal storage units at 2604 35th St. He is requesting a rezone from business to light industrial. The property is just off State Road 37 near River’s Edge Church. The parcel is currently vacant and owned by Kenneth G. Brock.

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Peterson said the units would be “aesthetically pleasing.” A single entrance off 35th Street would provide access.

“I want it to look nice. I’m not trying to maximize profits for the area,” he said.

Commission members Richard Burton, Steve Kimbley, Scott Moore, Bill McFadden and Angel Hawkins approved moving the rezone request to a public hearing next month.

Two requests to subdivide property were also moved to public hearings.

Melissa Hamilton wants to separate her property at 2435 I St. into two parcels. The property currently has a home and a garage on it. Hamilton said she and her husband plan to convert the garage into a home to be sold at a later date.

Jay Fiddler, speaking on behalf of Bob Fiddler, is requesting to separate 2747 Washington Ave. into two parcels to separate a business from a house on the property.

The commission also approved Jason Delaney’s request to separate his property at 205 N St. into two parcels and amended a street name in Southern Fields subdivision that had been recorded incorrectly.

Contact Times-Mail Staff Writer Carol Johnson at [email protected] or 812-277-7252.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Towing business clears hurdle; heads to city council for final approval