The Junction City/Milford/Geary County Board of Zoning Appeals has approved a parking variance for the future youth wrestling practice facility being put together by the Bramlage Family Foundation at 935 East 4th Street.

Following a lengthy discussion the variance was approved to reduce the number of paved parking spaces required for the facility from 81 parking stalls to 48, but there are a few conditions to the variance.

“The condition attached to that was that, so long that it is only an athletic practice facility, and is not used for other events or tournaments, or things of that nature,” said Dave Yearout, Zoning and Planning Administrator.

If, in the future, the facility is ever used to host an event the variance would be nullified and the Bramlage Family Foundation would then be required to expand the parking lot to fit 81 stalls.

Clint Francis, Bramlage Family Foundation Manager was pleased with the variance approval.

“Obviously it was a long discussed topic, but I feel like common sense and reason prevailed,” said Francis.

It was made clear that it was never the intent of the foundation to use the facility for any events or tournaments. According to Francis the facility would be used strictly for practice and there would never be any need for 81 parking spaces.

The foundation can now move towards finishing the project. Francis said that there is still some work to do inside, and the goal is still to open up sometime in early 2016.