BZA approves fireworks storage containers with fire‑safety conditions and 60‑day follow up

The Leaport County Board of Zoning Appeals voted July 21 to permit Indiana 39 LLC to retain 10 shipping containers on its Springfield Township property for fireworks storage, contingent on fire‑safety conditions.

Applicant Frank Porro said the containers are ATF‑approved, have no ignition points and were recommended in discussions with a state fire marshal (the applicant described that as a verbal recommendation and committed to providing documentation). A neighbor, Jerry Kulie, urged that the volunteer Springfield Township Fire Department be involved because the site is near volunteer resources and could create a hazard without oversight. Porro said containers are not filled to capacity and that peak storage occurs seasonally; he agreed to invite local fire personnel to inspect and train and to seek a letter or guidance from the state fire marshal.

The board approved the petition with conditions: the petitioner must contact the local volunteer fire department, coordinate a training or site visit, contact the state fire marshal for written guidance, and provide the building commissioner's office with documentation within 60 days; the board noted the application would be revisited if conditions were not met (a status date of Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. was set). The building commissioner's office noted it may impose and later revisit conditions and that failure to comply could lead to revocation.