4015 Corridor Drive in Warsaw

WARSAW — At the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held Monday, Aug. 27, two requests were presented and approved. 

In the first matter, Petitioner Brandon Schmitt requested a variance from development standards to allow more than two accessory structures within an R-1 zoning district at 504 E. Baker St. 

Schmitt owns approximately 39 acres of land, which allows for a large land buffer between nearby residents. Trucks, trailers and business-related equipment pieces are expected to be stored inside the proposed accessory structure. The newly-built structure will reside east of the large existing structure. Adding an additional accessory building will not have a negative impact on adjacent property values.

Based on the information provided, Assistant City Planner Justin Taylor stated that the planning department feels that this case could be viewed favorably. 

In the next case, Petitioner Michael Trier, representing Genesis Properties LLC, requested a special exception to allow an outside warehouse to be located within an I-2 zoning district. The property, located at 4015 Corridor Drive, Warsaw, is currently used to house supplies. The petitioner states that, if granted permission, the property will be used to hold boating equipment, boats and RVs. Up to 50 items may be stored on the property at any one time, according to the petitioner. 

Outside storage warehousing uses are permitted in I-2 zoning districts through special exception per the municipal code, provided they meet specific requirements. Those requirements include:

• Lot coverage, including building coverage and storage areas, shall not exceed 75 percent of the gross site area.
• Outside storage areas shall be completely enclosed by a solid fence not less than eight feet in height and which shall bear no advertising, other than the name of the premises, as in accordance with section 13.3.
• Outside storage of flammable, explosive or radioactive materials or products, or of dangerous gases shall not be permitted.

The potential of having exterior storage is not necessarily a concern because this is an industrial area. Genesis Properties will still be required to put up an opaque screening fence and adhere to the other rules specified for a special exception. According to Taylor, the planning department has agreed that this case could be viewed favorably. 

Trier said Genesis Properties LLC will be managing and maintaining the garage condo units, including winterizing the boats. 

Ken May, who owns property to the north of 4015 Corridor Drive, expressed some concern regarding the fence possibly not blocking the view of the boats and RVs due to the elevation of the two north buildings.

“There is an elevation change of probably 12 feet,” said May, who informed BZA members that Taylor had contacted him prior to the meeting to fill him in on the potential plans.

“That made me feel a lot more comfortable with what’s going on out there,” May said. “I don’t have a problem with it as long as it’s kept nice and neat and orderly.”

BZA members discussed the possibility of requiring a fence higher than 8 feet.

“A 10-foot fence isn’t exactly the most beautiful thing in the world either,” BZA Vice-President Rick Keeven pointed out. Eventually, it was agreed that an 8-foot fence would be sufficient.

The next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24.