Developer SimonCRE is seeking five variances in the city’s Urban Central Core Zoning District to construct a new $2 million O’Reily Auto Parts store at 1811 and 1835 Central Ave. in the downtown district.
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According to the city staff report, the variances requested include:
- Locate the front entrance and primary building frontage on side elevation facing Charles Street
- Permit less than 60 percent ground floor transparency on the prima1y building frontage
- No parking lot screening
- More than zero feet setback facing Charles Street
- Building with less than 70 percent of site width on Grimes Street, Central Avenue and Charles Street.
A sixth variance was removed as the developer agreed to construct the building’s exterior with brick instead of CMU block as originally proposed, according to Jeffrey Green, city zoning administrator.
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Mike Robinette, of the recently-opened Liberty Spirits, said the reported change in exterior finish is “a step in the right direction but it depends if it’s within the zoning code.”
“I think a lot of people are concerned and it depends on what gets presented,” he said.
Robinette has been vocal about the proposed development and has been advocating that the developer adjust their plans to conform to the city’s zoning code. He also created a Facebook page called “STOP O’Reilly’s Strip Mall Development.”
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If the city Board of Zoning Appeals approves variances that were requested and denied by the Historic Commission, O’Reilly will still need to get Historic Commission’s approval before being able to proceed with building the store.
Should the BZA deny the variances, the developer could take the matter to the Butler County Common Pleas Court for resolution.
The hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the lower level of the Middletown City Building.
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