(La Porte County, IN) - It appears an old fire station outside La Porte is going to become a repair shop for things like automobiles and heavy equipment.

 

The La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals has approved a request for a special land use variance by RJ’s Boosted Performance, LLC and TK’s Repairs, LLC.

 

The owners of both shops plan on relocating from their existing separate locations into the former Center Township Volunteer Fire Department at 305 W. Johnson Road.

 

The building vacant since 2017 has features like five bays that will be used by both of the operations.

 

“The building is just ideal for what we’re using it for,” said Aubrey Gierke, whose spoke to the BZA on behalf of the shop owners.

 

Kathleen Kelly and other nearby residents in the area of Legacy Hills Golf Course opposed the request fearing things like noise from the shop disrupting their peaceful neighborhood.

 

Kelly said such an operation will “completely uproot the family friendly atmosphere that I and my other neighbors enjoy.”

 

“This is an industrial or manufacturing use in a predominantly residential area,” said Anthony Novak, an attorney representing the owners of Legacy Hills Golf Course and nearby Legacy Lane Business Park.

 

Novak said the fire department being government owned had a right to occupy the structure under its present residential zoning but no such rights exist for a privately owned operation such as a repair shop without a special land use variance.

 

Supporters from the audience cited things like noise that already exists from the road being heavily traveled for being in favor of the request.