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ATTACHMENT TO SPECIAL EXCEPTION REQUEST <br />January 30, 1997, <br />We have visited with the City of LaPorte staff regarding a proposed parking lot expansion <br />to the Southwestern Bell facility located at 502 W. Polk and discussed the following: <br />• The facility is located in a R-1 zone and therefore is considered a non -conforming use. <br />• Section 11-605 of the -LaPorte zoning ordinance 1501 allows the Zoning Board of <br />Adjustments to grant special exceptions to non -conforming uses for a "deviation from <br />the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance... and then only when the Board finds that <br />such special exceptions will not adversely affect the value and use of adjacent or <br />neighboring property or be contrary to the best public interest." <br />After reviewing the ordinance and discussing options with staff, we are submitting a <br />request for special exception. We believe that an expansion of the parking lot, while not <br />specifically listed in Section 11-605, is less intrusive than a building expansion or <br />reconstruction as described in paragraph "a" of Section 11-605. We also maintain that the <br />other provisions regarding Special Exceptions are either not applicable or can easily be <br />met. <br />The reason for this request is due to the need of additional parking area for employees. <br />The LaPorte/Bayshore area growth has created a need to bring additional technical <br />employees to this area to install and maintain service for telephone customers. Impact to <br />the area will be nearly transparent, since the employees will be driving to this location and <br />working in the field most of the day. The existing parking lot is not large enough to <br />accommodate these additional 26 company and personal vehicles. We feel that the <br />parking lot expansion is necessary to provide safe parking for our employees and reduce <br />the need for off-street parking. In addition to our proposed parking lot, the other <br />alternative would be street parking which would be in violation of Section 10 of the <br />Zoning Ordinance 1501. <br />Southwestern Bell will be willing to provide landscaping around the property to enhance <br />the overall look of the lot as well as install privacy fencing if the board or city sees a need. <br />4F <br />