At the June 23 meeting of the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals, Parkview Health Systems got one step closer to building a facility in Kosciusko County.

The board passed use variance 2014-06-02, which would designate 9.846 acres northeast of the new YMCA facility near Mariners Road for construction of the new Parkview hospital.

The new facility would offer a primary care office, a rehabilitation area, laboratories, imaging and diagnostic services, emergency services, ambulatory services and other services. The hospital would also be equipped with a helipad.

Some members of the public were in attendance to raise some questions about the hospital. Patricia Coy, who lives in a lot adjacent to the development, raised some concerns about privacy and noise. Pete Mallers, of Beer, Mallers, Backs & Salin, who represents Parkview Health Systems, presented mock plans showing a land berm, fence and evergreen tree landscaping the would help separate Parkview’s campus from the nearby neighborhoods.

There are two wetland areas on the property that might be affected as part of the development. While one of the wetland areas would need to be mitigated, the other would be expanded, and there would essentially be the same amount of wetland area.

There was also some concern raised about the helipad. Air traffic is not expected to increase dramatically. Nearby Parkview facilities in South Whitley and Kendallville had no more than 10 helicopter landings in 2013.

A free standing sign would also be constructed near US 30. The sign would possibly service both the hospital and the YMCA.

The reason the zoning variance was required is there is no more land in Warsaw zoned for medical facilities. With the board approving the variance, the proposed development will make its way through other government entities for further approval.

The construction of the Parkview hospital and the YMCA is a part of an overall improvement project around Husky Trail and Mariners Drive. City Planner Jeremy Skinner said over the next five to 10 years, Husky Trail would be improved, Mariners Drive would be extended north to better service the Warsaw Municipal Airport and utilities services would be extended to the nearby industrial park.

In other news, the board approved a variance for Shock Farms to use an undeveloped portion of the Menard’s subdivision as a plot to grow corn, provided 50 foot buffer area to the north and south of the plot was left.

A variance for Sterling Watkins to construct a shed on his property at North Bay Drive was also approved.