Kokomo board approves impervious-surface variance for Walmart expansion on East Markland Avenue

The Kokomo City Board of Zoning Appeals voted May 5 to approve a variance to the municipal impervious-surface limit to allow a 6,327-square-foot building addition at the Walmart at 1920 East Markland Avenue.

Colin Causey, the petitioner, told the board the subject property "currently has a lot coverage approximately 79.62%" and that as part of the project the applicant proposes to combine three adjacent parcels into a single parcel and reconfigure the site to increase pervious area. Causey said those changes would reduce reported coverage to about 79.42%, which remains above the city’s stated 70% maximum but represents an improvement over the existing condition.

City staff member Scheelein recommended approval, reporting the variance would not injure public health or safety and would move a legal nonconformity closer to compliance through parcel consolidation and the addition of several landscaping islands. Staff said denying the variance would force the petitioner to add more landscaping and green space to meet the standard, which staff characterized as potentially costly.

A board member asked which parcels would be combined; Causey and staff confirmed all three identified parcels would be consolidated into a single tract. No public speakers opposed the request. The board approved the motion by voice vote and moved on to adjourn the meeting.