By David Slone
Times-Union

WARSAW — With a neighbor’s concern about traffic line of sight addressed, the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a variance Monday, July 22, for a smaller yard setback.

Mike Cayten requested a variance from development standards to allow a smaller-than-permitted side yard setback at 15 feet at 2432 Sally St., Warsaw. The building setback that is platted for this subdivision specifically is 30 feet, Assistant City Planner Jackson Longenbaugh told the board. Cayten wants to add garage space for hobby and storage space.

“Per our normal ordinance for a corner lot, we would permit a 15-foot setback, which he wouldn’t even be encroaching upon that, but here his specific subdivision is platted with a 30-foot building setback, which is a little different,” Longenbaugh said.

He said the subdivision rules overrides the city’s because they are more strict.

It is the opinion of the Warsaw Planning Department that the variance could be approved, Longenbaugh said.

Cayten said he really liked the neighborhood and has talked with the neighbors about what he wanted to do and there didn’t seem to really be any objections. The only neighbors he hadn’t talked to were Diego and Kelly Basalo, his next-door neighbors, who were at the meeting.

Cayten said the garage will be tied in to the house with the same siding, roofing and window scheme so it’ll look like it was built that way.

Board member Dan Smith asked him if he was going to have to move the air conditioner and sprinkler system.

Cayten said he would move the air conditioner and may get rid of the sprinkler system. Board President Tammy Dalton asked if the drive will be concrete, and Cayten said it would.

Diego Basalo, 2428 Sally St., said he and his wife were concerned about the traffic line of sight. “My wife and I were talking about, when we are driving and stop at the corner, I wonder if we can make sure we can see people coming through Brookview Drive because this is a neighborhood full of kids driving their bikes and whatever,” he said, adding that they wanted to prevent any accidents.

Board Vice President Rick Keeven said with what Cayten wanted to do, there was still plenty of clearance for drivers to see at the corners.

After Basalos’ concerns were addressed, Board member Jeff Johnson made a motion to approve the petition, Smith seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0.