Board denies gravel parking request at 4313 Midway Road, cites ordinance and neighborhood context

The Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety on July 24 denied a request from Burks Property Innovators to allow a 73-limestone gravel parking and turnaround area at 4313 Midway Road, after staff said the property is on a curb-and-gutter section where adjacent drives are hard-surfaced. Owner Greg Burks said the property currently has some gravel and that his investments would bring the property into city sewer and water and improve the building; he also said a new pole-barn garage is planned. Planning staff said aerial photos did not show gravel across the full area proposed and that the request appeared to be an expansion of gravel into areas that normally require hard surfacing under city standards. Engineering staff said the area is within city limits on a curb-and-gutter roadway and recommended requiring hard surface. A board member moved to deny the gravel parking request; the board voted to deny the request unanimously, and staff recommended the owner comply with hard-surface standards if redevelopment continues.