It was an emotional moment for Brent Kaeding when he stood before the Campbell Planning Commission on Dec. 13 and said, "We have been in the community for 65 years and see this as a chance to redevelop the area to a higher standard and build a building we have dreamed of."

The original structure on Cristich Lane was gutted by a July 20 fire that ran up a dry, grassy hillside along Highway 17 near the north Camden Avenue exit. Kaeding family members, father Howard and sons Joel and Brent, were lucky to escape unscathed.

The planning commission voted 5-1, with Commissioner Michael Rocha recusing himself, to approve the request for Kaeding to construct an 8,014-square-foot warehouse/industrial building. The new facility will operate primarily as a warehouse. The business will also sell and distribute parts for high-performance racecars. Machine shop repair work will no longer be done.

During the hearing, the issue of a property line variance was discussed. The planning department wanted to deny the Kaedings' request to bring the building within one foot of the property line. The ordinance required a 12-foot variance unless the property owner met specific findings, including a hardship inconsistent with the zoning code. The Kaedings wanted the commission to grant them those findings.

John Neese, who spoke for Kaedings, asked the commissioners to consider the family's long history in area when making their decision.

"When the family bought the property, the highway wasn't there. It encroached into their property," Neese said. "And the city took a portion of the property also. It's been crunched."

Phil Jakes, who lives next door to Kaeding Performance, told the commissioners that the 12-foot area would become a "catch-all" for throwaway items such as pallets and motor oil. He feared it would turn into an alley.

Commissioner George Doorley acknowledged that it was difficult to balance tragedy with regulations, but he said it was important to abide by the ordinances established.

The other commissioners believed that a compromise could be found to satisfy the city and the family.

Commissioner Bob Roseberry said, "I understand what is being said, but we are talking about an industrial area where most of the buildings go right to the property line. This is not a landscaping, lawn issue."

Roseberry added that after looking at drawings of the area it was clear whether it was "right or wrong" that all the buildings butted up to the lot lines. He and the majority of commissioners did not see any value to the extra 12-foot requirement.

Commissioner Liz Gibbons emphasized that this allowance should only apply to this specific project.

"Remember in this case we are working hard to find ways to have people get their livelihood back," she said.