American Icon Automotive Finishes

AkzoNobel on May 4 announced the launch of its new Acoat Selected digital training platform containing business services content relevant to end-user customers.

This training content was previously only available to Sikkens customers through faceto-face instruction by a services consultant at the customer location. The digital platform is now also available to AkzoNobel’s Lesonal customers.

The digital training platform contains seven content categories, most relevant to collision repair shop owners/managers and production managers, including process improvement, human resources, marketing, technical, sales, finance and more.

The training fulfills I-CAR continuing education credit requirements and is free of charge for AkzoNobel’s Sikkens and Lesonal customers. Access it at www.AkzoNobelTraining.com.

Source: AkzoNobel A new auto body shop could be opening on College Street in Wadsworth, OH, in the near future after project specs were approved by the Wadsworth Planning Commission.

Integrity Collision has shown interest in purchasing space at 487 College St. currently being used for commercial printing. The company operates another Wadsworth auto shop at 869 Broad St.

“The new applicant would like to convert this to an auto body repair shop,” Planning and Zoning Director Jeff Kaiser said April 27. “Automotive repair uses are permitted in the C-3 district as long as they’re not conducted within 50 feet of any residential zoning district.”

Kaiser showed residences do border the College Street facility on the south and southwest sides, referring to homes on Westgate and Parkview avenues.

He said the proposed auto body shop is roughly 50 feet away from shared property lines.

“The code itself is not clear where the 50 feet is measured from,” Kaiser said. “Is it property line from property line? Is it where the use takes place on the site to the property line? That’s how I’ve interpreted it since everything is going to take place within the building itself. The building is about 50 feet away from the shared property line, so the minimum separation is addressed.

“I think the commission needs to remember the zoning code was really written back in the ‘50s and ‘60s when there was more of an emphasis on separating quote-unquote ‘uses that weren’t compatible with each other,’” he added. “I think technology and the ability to contain sounds and fumes have kind of changed that a bit.” Nearby existing commercial establishments including auto repair services were also cited by Kaiser in his presentation.

Plans also include a fence that would be installed between the aforementioned homes and a vacant lot to the south of the building, where the business would store vehicles. Fencing extending west toward Westgate Avenue could be added when and if the business expands its parking, Kaiser said.

“I could see a situation where we want to extend this fencing to enclose the entire vehicle parking-slash-storage area,” he said.

It also was shown that trees and shrubs on the south side could be crossing into residential property. “The thought was to leave whatever is there and enhance it further with fencing,” Kaiser said. “That’ll be especially important in the winter months when a lot of those trees go dormant and lose their leaves.”

Integrity Collision’s Crystal Van Nostran said a property line survey had been scheduled for May 5.

“I think the commission wants to continue to be good neighbors to the neighbors that have been there for a long time and to maintain as much screening as we can,” said Ward 4 Councilman Bruce Darlington.

The Medina County Building Department also will review project specifications soon, according to officials.

We thank The Medina Gazette for reprint permission.

Rivian Purchases More Land for Factory Expansion Ahead of R1T Deliveries

by Maria Merano, Teslarati

Rivian has already set plans in motion to expand its existing manufacturing factory in Normal, IL. The EV automaker also purchased acres of land with further expansion in mind for the future. Rivian submitted a resolution for Normal’s Town Council to conditionally approve an amended site plan. The council voted 6-0 in favor of Rivian’s proposal. The resolution proposes building expansions and the addition of a charging canopy. Rivian’s amended site plan also included a new entrance to College Avenue to align with the company’s driveway. Rivian proposed two building additions to its 510-acre property, formerly known as the Diamond-Star Mitsubishi plant. One building will cover 45,000 square feet, and the second will take up 51,000 square feet. The EV automaker also proposed a 60,000-square foot charging canopy to charge Rivian vehicles fresh from the production line. Illustrations revealed that Rivian plans to install solar panels on the canopy. According to town council records, Rivian recently purchased 380 acres of unannexed farmland across Rivian Motorway. Rivian petitioned to have the parcel of land annexed to the Town of Normal. However, properties annexed to the Town of Normal are automatically assigned agricultural zoning. So, Rivian also requested the town council rezone 320 acres of the farmland to M-2 general manufacturing to expand for industrial use. After some discussion, the council approved the annexation of Rivian’s 380-acre farmland to the Town of Normal and the rezoning of 320 acres to M-2 general manufacturing. Based on the recent Normal Town Council meeting, Rivian is eager to grow and expand after R1T deliveries start in June. Rivian seems to be thinking beyond 2021 and already has plans for the next few years after deliveries kick off in a month.

We thank Teslarati for reprint permission.

TheNew AutoBodySh

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