WARSAW — The Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals had denied a request by True Purpose Ministries to use a rental house on Winona Avenue as a rehabilitation location for recovering drug and alcohol users.

Meeting in regular session Monday evening, July 27, the board heard a number of arguments for and against the faith-based program and, in the end, decided that the location was not suitable for the program.

Jeremy Graham, representing True Purpose Ministries, described its structure as a one-year program in which recovering drug and alcohol users can enroll. Participants would live in the house during that time and would be required to participate in program activities like group devotions, prayer times and other activities.

They would also be required to work during the day and would be carpooled to and from their jobs.

Graham noted that the program is not open to sex offenders or violent offenders.

Several members of the community spoke favorably of the program, including volunteers with the local jail ministry, parents whose adult children struggle with addictions and former drug users who have received help through similar programs.

While a number of community members in attendance spoke favorably of the program, there were also those who voiced concerns. Among them was local business owner, Harold Schapson, who said he has had problems with loitering and is concerned that a residential program will increase this.

He also said he had been told the area along Winona Avenue is set aside for business development and that a residential program will negatively affect that.

“I’m afraid a precedent is being set and that it will keep businesses away,” he said.

Warsaw city council member Charles Smith reiterated Schapson’s concerns.

City council member Cindy Dobbins expressed concern over vagueness in the request, including that Graham was not sure of the exact square footage of the house or of the number of people who could be housed there.

While members of the board spoke approvingly of the program, they voted against the location, with tone vote in favor.

In Other News

•The board voted to allow a 10-foot porch setback for a home belonging to Patrick Loebs of Fort Wayne Street.

•The board also voted in favor of allowing LaVista resident Robert Bucher to construct a stone driveway leading to a storage building, where he plans to keep an RV.

Current standards allow for paved driveways only due to concerns over dirt, sticks, small rocks and other debris that can wash from a gravel driveway and block storm drainage.