By Mary Smith

news@vindy.com

MINERAL RIDGE

Weathersfield Township Board of Zoning Appeals has denied the expansion of a nonconforming-use designation to allow for a Warren business to move its used-car lot to the Union Auto Parts and salvage yard location at 2174 Austintown-Warren Road.

Bruce Saddle of Union Auto Parts, Weathersfield, and Burt Saddle’s Used Car lot, now of 540 Main St. in downtown Warren, applied for the expansion so he can move his used-car lot next to the auto salvage yard on the Union Auto Parts property.

A 3,500-square-foot lot with an office would be located outside the current fence on the property, the board learned in a presentation on the proposal Thursday.

The board did not give a reason for its denial of the request, zoning inspector Dave Rouan said, but he noted that of the approximately 15 residents attending, a majority of those who spoke were against it, with only one in support.

“The neighbors didn’t want the use to be expanded, mainly,” Rouan said.

The property is zoned for Commercial-A and agricultural use.

Union Auto Parts and salvage yard has done business in the township for more than 60 years.

Saddle noted in a letter to the board that the business of new parts and automotive paint supplies at Union Auto in Warren was sold in March 2012.

“At this point in time, it would be advantageous for the future of Union Auto Parts Inc. to control the business at a new location,” Saddle said.

The signs, used-car space and office would have operated outside of the salvage yard.

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles already has approved using current space on the property for the used-car lot.