A site map of the location for a new transitional care facility

Three variances were approved Monday evening by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals. One gave approval to a new transitional care facility in Warsaw.

Mainstreet, Carmel, is proposing a transitional care facility at the southwest corner of CR 300N and Sheldon Street, north of Wal-Mart. While adjacent property owners expressed no objections, Brad Harris, senior vice president at Miller’s Merry Manor, objected. Harris noted the over saturation of the area with rehabilitation and the association of the proposed facility with Trilogy, a company at the bottom ratings by Medicare and Medicaid.

Harris stated while it states it will be a transitional care facility, it will be licensed as a skilled nursing facility. A Senate bill on a bed moratorium for skilled nursing facilities has already been passed.

Architectural rendering of the proposed facility.

BZA members appreciated Harris’ concerns, but stated that was not the board’s responsibility. The BZA only looks at the zoning issues and needed to adhere to that.
David Behrens with GreenbergFarrow, Arlington Heights, Ill., architect and Kara Strickland, PE with Mainstreet, development manager, provided board members further details. The facility would be a transitional care facility for those undergoing outpatient surgery. This would be a secondary stay during rehabilitation instead of a hospital and less expensive.

The facility would be a resort style/hotel like atmosphere. The proposed restaurant would be for residents and their guests only. “It would be high end,” stated Strickland.
The proposal is a 94-bed facility, 70 beds would be for a three- to four-week stay, the remainder would be for stays requiring more than a month. Intensive rehabilitation would be offered.

Tim Dombrosky, assistant city planner, who recommended approval, stated the plans adhere to the requirements. He noted the requested, in the C-3 district, is less intense than allowed, but not a residential type use . It was also noted the location is not ideal for a commercial type business as there is no frontage on a major road and commercial interest would possibly be limited. Dombrosky added the city’s comprehensive plan supports placement of a regional commercial use at that location.

There is ample space on the property to handle drainage and parking requirements, which will be discussed as plans progress.

A second use variance was that of Joel Downs for a landscaping company with outside storage at 900 S. Buffalo Street. Downs will be repainting the building in the spring. His request is to place outside storage containers on the northwest side of the building, with screening. He is estimating the containers will be cement blocks approximately 12-feet deep and 10-feet wide but no higher than 4-feet. The containers would contain mulch.

He also stated softscape plantings may be used to hide the containers.

BZA members approved the plans.

The final action for the evening was approval of Oakhurst Signs to allow two freestanding signs in a residential area. The signs would be at 425 Chinworth Court, at an assisted living facility. Dombrosky recommended approval for the variance from development standards. He noted the placement of the V-shaped sign is separated from nearby residential uses and should not be visually disruptive, nor interfere with traffic or residential neighbors.

Mayor Joe Thallemer gives the oath of office to Tom White at the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals meeting.

Tom Allen was sworn in for another term on the board, having already served 16 years on the BZA. Allen was re-elected president and Rick Keeven re-elected vice president.
The next meeting of the BZA will be 7 p.m. March 23.