There are currently 26 lots located at the seasonal park on EMS B52 Lane, Pierceton. (Photo from Beacon)

By Maggie Kenworthy
InkFreeNews

KOSCIUSKO — During the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held Tuesday, April 13, the board denied a request pertaining to a seasonal park on Barbee Lake.

James Miller, requested an exception for the purpose of the change and alteration of an existing seasonal park located on EMS B52 Lane, Pierceton. This request was to allow existing units to be replaced with RV’s as sites vacate and increase the number of lots from 26 to 31 sites. The request would also allow each unit to have a small shed and nonattached porches and decks, closer than the minimum setbacks to the north and east right-of-way, water’s edge and west property line.

Miller explained that he was in the process of purchasing the property with the hopes of fixing it up. He would like to leave the park as a seasonal park, but increase the number of existing lots and replace current trailers with RVs in the future. He explained that this was a blanket request and the whole project may not be completed for ten years.

Area Plan Director Dan Richard explained to Miller that the request was not reasonable. Based on the county’s lake funneling ordinance, the park did not have enough lake frontage to allow the number of lots currently there. Since the property is non-conforming, the lots can exist as is, but any improvements would result in the same amount of, or fewer, lots.

Several neighbors and current residents of the park were present to oppose the request. They all stated that the park was too crowded as is. Concerns were brought up regarding a lack of adequate parking, access for emergency vehicles, density and more.

The board voted to deny the request and told Miller that a more concrete and feasible plan should be presented in the future if improvements wished to be made.

The board also heard an exception request made by the Lilly Pad, 316 E. North Kitson Lane, Syracuse. This request allows commercial parking in a residential district in the form of an access easement for boarding of the SS Lilly Pad.

Attorney Steve Snyder explained that the Lilly Pad would operate as it has for several years. The property owners which are directly impacted by the use of the easement all approved of the request.

Several neighbors were opposed to the request. They had concerns with Kitson Lane being used for catering access and maintaining the boat. There were also concerns regarding outside storage, noise levels and traffic levels.

It was agreed that due to the configuration of The Frog Tavern’s boat slip and busyness in the summer, this was the best place to keep the boat during the season. Snyder agreed to eliminate any outside storage and stated that the boat is accessed from 316 E. North Kitson Lane only when refueling and catered events take place. No passengers are to access the boat from this property and will instead use the access easement.

The board approved the request.

During the meeting, the board also heard requests regarding an apartment complex in Milford and a Family Express gas station in North Webster. Details on those requests can be found here.

In other news, the board:

• Approved an exception request made by Samantha Staley, 9199 East CR 250S, Pierceton. The request allows for living quarters in the form of a kitchen and bathroom to remain in an accessory building for recreational purposes.
• Approved a variance request for Jason and Crystal Grafton, 36 EMS B51 Lane, Pierceton. This allows for a residence addition to remain as constructed zero feet from the north property line, 3.5 feet from the north water’s edge and 11 feet from the east water’s edge. This also allows a shed to remain as placed. The Graftons must comply with the flood plain regulations.
• Continued a variance request made by Sterling Seery, 30 EMS T24 Lane, Leesburg. A variance was requested to construct a detached garage two feet from the right-of-way and two feet from the east side property line. The board asked for more clarification regarding the placement of the building.
• Approved a variance request made by Benjamin Bruner for the property located on the west side of Waco Drive, east of SR 13 in Syracuse. This property would be a recreational building with residential living quarters inside.
• Approved an exception request made by Jennifer Orr, 11315 South CR 100W, Silver Lake. The request allows for a home-based business consisting of a wedding and events venue in an agricultural district.
• Approved both an exception and variance request made by Timothy Mullet, 12848 North CR 700W, Nappanee. This allows for a home-based business consisting of welding and metal fabrication with up to 10 outside employees in an agricultural district. It also allows for three uses on one tract of land — the main residence, a second residence and a business. The second residence is not to be rented out and only used by friends and family.
• Approved a variance request made by Ashley Dirck, 283 EMS R4 Lane, Pierceton. This allows a shed to remain as placed by a previous owner.
• Approved a variant request made by Todd Mikel, 13117 N. Eastshore Drive, Syracuse. This allows for a deck to remain as constructed 6.5 feet from a south property line.