Esteb Road residents enjoy their quiet neighborhood and its pastoral landscapes.
Those speaking Feb. 13 before the Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals said that does not include shipping containers storing fireworks and tractor-trailer delivery trucks rumbling up their road. And the BZA protected their lifestyle.
BZA members voted 4-0 to deny a variance of use request by Gary Wolff and Jesse Wolff that would allow them up to 12 storage containers on a 58-acre parcel that’s zoned agricultural. All five findings of fact the BZA considers were rejected, leading to the variance denial. The Wolffs can appeal the decision to Wayne County’s Circuit Court.
They planned to receive deliveries at 4937 Esteb Road, store the consumer fireworks, then stock their retail store at 217 S. Main St. in Liberty, according to their attorney, John Brooke. Gary Wolff said he planned to build a house at the location.
Brooke showed video of a fireworks storage container catching fire, pointing out the fire remained contained until the container’s floor failed. He noted there were no explosions and no danger that would impact neighbors. Brooke used a PowerPoint presentation to explain fireworks safety and regulation.
“There’s a lot more to it than just bringing a container of fireworks in and selling them,” Wolff said.
Brooke said the Esteb land was a unique opportunity because it provided the space necessary for fireworks storage. The containers sit behind a tree line off the road.
Neighbors were not swayed. After buying the property, Wolff placed six containers, including two with product, on the property before county planning staff learned about the containers. He was told to stop work because the business would need a variance.
Mark Hoelscher wondered how the county could prevent the business from continuing. He lives on Esteb Road to avoid commercialization and said that one commercial enterprise would lead to more.
“From my perspective, this is not about a fire, this is not about an explosion, this is about what effect this will have on our lifestyle on Esteb Road,” Hoelscher said.
Michael Hoff, who lives on Straightline Pike a mile east of the Wolffs’ property, agreed that the Wolffs’ business would be a foot in the door toward changing the atmosphere. He said approval of the variance would violate the “spirit and objective” of the zoning.
“The containers themselves are the problem,” Hoff said. “It is a rural area, and whether they’re full or empty, it’s six containers and it becomes an industrial site.”
Julie Turner walks her dog along the road and worried about trucks presenting a safety hazard and tearing up the small road. She resented the Wolffs’ plan.
“He is there just for profit,” Turner said. “We’re there because we love that area. Please choose serenity and safety over money.”
Patricia Heepe said the business already has caused uproar and strife in the neighborhood. She said there’s other land Wolff could purchase for his business that already has the necessary zoning.
“The one thing that has brought up from a strong sense of community is our community is together showing this is not what we want,” Heepe said.
Attorney Clay Miller made his own presentation representing Esteb residents Jim and Kim Daggy. He pointed out that the Wolffs requested the BZA change the rules to permit the business and there are plenty of permitted uses for the farmland. Miller worked through all five findings of fact, saying none should be found in the affirmative.
Swimming pool
In its other action Feb. 13, the BZA approved a variance of use for an in-ground swimming pool for an Airport Road home in Centerville.
The variance was necessary because part of the pool would be in front of the house. Petitioner Rachel Diana Courtney said that was the only possible location because of the undulating and forested lot.
A version of this article appeared in the February 19 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.