Hospital parking lot violates zoning regulations

To the editor:

Monday night at the city council meeting I asked the same question I’ve asked at most council meetings since July 29, which is, has the zoning violation on the parking lot at Melvin and Roosevelt Sts. been addressed.

I was told that the Clayton Garnica had determined that the parking lot was in compliance. Are you kidding me? Everything about this parking screams violation.

The zoning regulations state that all parking lots shall be constructed, at a minimum, with paved, hard surface, all-weather dust-free materials such as masonry, concrete, asphalt, or other acceptable material.

There are possible exceptions, but none that fit this case except No. 7, which is: other requests for using gravel must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

So far, this commission hasn’t even seen this violation. Zoning also states all parking spaces required to serve structures or uses shall be located on the same zoning lot as the structure or use served unless a Conditional Use Permit is obtained which the planning board approves.

This parking lot is across the street from St. Luke Hospital in a residential district and would need a Conditional Use Permit.

A public hearing must be held and all owners within 200 feet must be notified of such hearing. I could quote other zoning regulations, but I think you get the idea.

This is just another case of pick and choose whether to enforce the zoning regulations. Is this the kind of “open government” that we want in Marion? Vote Herbel for city council.

Ruth Herbel, Marion