Meeting on Monday, Boardman Trustees approved a zone change to add commercial land that will permit construction of a new Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge Ram dealership at 7901 Market St. operated by John Kufleitner.
      Kufleitner also owns Columbiana Chrysler Jeep Dodge at 100 Commerce Circle, Columbiana, John Kufleitner’s Galleria of Vintage, Classic & Pristine Cars, and the Just Like New Collision Repair & Classic Car Restoration, both at 13134 Salem-Alliance Road, Salem.
      Kufleitner said in 2016, Chrysler approached him about opening a dealership in Boardman.
      “They wanted to be in Boardman and they wanted me to be the dealer,” Kufleitner said, explaining, “because of monopoly laws you cannot own in three connecting or contiguous markets.”
      He was left with the choice of selling either his Columbiana or Salem location and the bottom line was if he didn’t take the Boardman point someone else would.
      “I didn’t want someone to come into my market,” he said. “This gives me Columbiana and Boardman.” He sold a Chrysler dealership he operated in Salem on Nov. 1, 2017.
      “I had no intention of leaving Salem, but I feel whoever goes to Boardman will have the upper hand on the Chrysler market in the whole Mahoning Valley.”
      “It will take a minimum of a year to build and open. We’re hopeful to be open in the 2018 calendar year.”
      Krista Beniston, Boardman Township zoning/planning director, said if Kufleitner obtains the necessary permits, construction on the new dealership could get underway in June.
      The proposed dealership will be situated on a 26.7-acre site, including a 54,000 sq.-ft. building.
      Kufleitner needed to go before the Board of Trustees in order to obtain access to the site from Scotland Ave., which he did, over the objections of some residents who live on that sparsely-populated street.
      The new dealership will employ about 75 people, according to Kufleitner’s site plan.