Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals discussed a variance and an exception for a new communication tower at its Thursday, Jan. 18 meeting. Pictured, from left, are Jim Allegret, Joe Leatherman, Randy Cox, Larry Coplen and Matt Sandy. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals discussed a variance and an exception for a communication tower at its Thursday, Jan. 18, meeting. The board heard four variances and one exception at the meeting.

Indiana Telephone Network’s petition for an exception and a variance, however, was tabled until next month’s meeting. It wants to allow a nearly 200-foot tall communication tower in an industrial 2 district. The property is at 103 E. Innovation Blvd., inside the new Syracuse Industrial Park.

The tower is necessary in order to have high speed internet service to a new business, Travel Lite RV, said Eric Wiggs of Indiana Telephone Network. He stressed it is not a cellular phone tower, but rather a wireless ISP one. He also said the tower would be 190 feet.

“It will benefit any future business, too,” Wiggs said of the tower.

However, Henry DeJulia, town manager, opposes the tower. Bill Musser, Syracuse Town Council president, also opposed the location of the tower.

“We don’t want anything built above ground,” Musser said at the meeting. “That’s why we have a covenant.”

Syracuse Redevelopment Commission owns the industrial park. It has certain restrictions for the industrial park, one being no above-ground structures.

Indiana Telephone Network’s petition for a variance was also tabled for another 30 days. It wants to allow the communication tower within two miles of another existing tower. The property is also located at 103 E. Innovation Blvd.

The extra time will allow all parties to discuss and negotiate the location of the new communication tower.

Barbara McLear’s petition for a variance was denied. She wanted to allow a 14-foot-by-27-foot pergola to remain as placed 6 feet, 6 inches from the water’s edge without a permit or a hearing. The pergola was built without a permit, her son, Greg, said. Despite letters of support for the structure, the board denied the case in order to not set a precedent. McLear has three months to take down the pergola.

The property is located at 1414 S. Harkless Drive.

Justin and Lindsey Steill’s petition for a variance was approved. They want to allow the construction of additions and remodeling of an existing residence 1.8 feet from the right of way, 15 feet from the south water’s edge, 16 feet from the west water’s edge, and 1 foot from the north sideline.

The couple’s property is located at 1215 S. Channel 2 Lane.

Tim Yoder’s petition for a variance was tabled. Yoder wants to allow the construction of a 140-foot-by-60 foot commercial building 10 feet from an unnamed right of way. The property is located at 1405 N. Indiana Ave.

The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, in Syracuse Town Hall.