Cedar Lake BZA OKs auto parts store at site of car wash

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Updated: March 18, 2012 8:16AM

CEDAR LAKE — O’Reilly Auto Parts is looking to take over the site of the former Magic Wash car wash at 10205 W. 133rd Ave.

The Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday voted 4-0 to approve a parking variance for the business that was a necessary component before the company could finish negotiations for the property. Jeremy Kuiper was absent.

Miles Gatland, real estate broker for Springfield, Mo.-based O’Reilly, said the company is looking to open a 6,400-square-foot retail auto parts store at the location.

“We will be tearing down the car wash,” Gatland said.

The company has requested a variance that would allow parking in the 50-foot setback, allow a side yard of less than the required 25 feet and allow a sign in the 10-foot right of way. A request for a variance on the handicap parking spaces was withdrawn after it was learned the request would not meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

The BZA also waived the 90-day limit on the variance to give the company time to finalize the deal.

Gatland said the variance that would allow parking in the 50-foot setback is needed because the retention pond at the back of the property prevents the building from being located farther back.

Gatland said this will be O’Reilly’s third location in Northwest Indiana. The company has recently opened stores in Crown Point and Merrillville. He said the company has been looking at the region, but no other store locations are planned.

He said it is unclear when construction of the Cedar Lake store might begin. The company first needs to finalize the property deal, then do its civil engineering and go before the Plan Commission for site plan approval.