Town zoning laws regarding temporary signs and outside storage need to be clarified, the Burns Harbor Advisory Plan Commission was told Monday.

Building commissioner Bill Arney said outside storage has been a problem in town for years.

The matter’s complicated, he explained, because while plated and registered vehicles typically aren’t considered storage, a few properties have been generating complaints because of the number of semi-trucks/trailers there.

According to commission attorney Charles Parkinson, “When you have several, it’s like you have a systematic use of property as a parking lot.”

One of the properties has truck parking allowed but with certain restrictions that can be enforced under a previous Board of Zoning Appeals variance granted for the site.

A second location, Scott’s Way on the north side of U.S. 20 east of Indiana 149, was limited by the BZA to conduct truck repairs only; commission members questioned why so many semis and trailers are parking there, and whether dispatching operations are going on.

Arney said a Scott’s Way official maintains the vehicles are being repaired.

After being denied a previous bid to allow a truck terminal on the site, Job Steel filed a lawsuit against the BZA that still is pending. Parkinson said it would be up to the Town Council to enforce the repairs-only restrictions if necessary, and the town could ask the judge for sanctions if the site is in violation.

Commission/council member Toni Biancardi said the matter will be placed on the next council agenda.

As for temporary portable signs, Arney said the new zoning ordinance adopted last year restricts banners to 32 square feet, which some business owners feel is too small. A temporary sign also may be permitted for not more than 30 days in one calendar year, however, Arney said the language is not specific enough on how and when that can be done.

Commission president Jeff Freeze said his board will work with Arney. “We’ll make (the ordinance) easier for you to enforce and our local businesses to undertstand.”

Freeze invited commission members later this month to join him on a field trip to South Bend to see a development project on the south end of the University of Notre Dame campus.

The area is an example of what a downtown could look like in Burns Harbor with a few modifications, said Freeze, who is chairing a Facade Committee to recommend possible exterior design standards for a future downtown.

Freeze said the committee is hoping to secure a maximum $50,000 grant to have someone draft the facade standards if the town qualifies for the grant program.

Also Monday, the commission invited Parkwood Estates developer Dick Davis to attend the May 3 meeting to discuss a punch list related to installation of infrastructure for his Haglund Road subdivision.

All votes were 6-0 Monday with Jim McGee absent.

Posted 4/6/2010