WARSAW — One of two use variances, for different purposes, was unanimously approved by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals Monday evening, Nov. 23. The request for up to 16 storage units in a residential area was denied because an adjacent property owner was against the request.

Harvey Hayes, who owns property to the south of 985 N. Lake Street, stated he didn’t realize the property was not zoned for auto sales. “I assumed it was zoned correctly,” he stated as there had previously been a car dealership at that location. The property has been vacant for 30 years. Hayes plans to utilize the property.

Tim Dombrosky, assistance city planner noted this area was an oddity that it was not zoned as a district permitting such use and recommended the request be approved. Little board discussion was held as members also felt it was fitting for that location due to surrounding businesses — other car dealerships, and retailer to the west.

Request Denied

Dombrosky noted a few challenges to Carl Bevins’ request to place storage units at 506 Alward St. The condition and size of the streets in that area to handle commercial traffic, no curbing and the area is isolated to residential traffic. The property is also not suitable for for water and sewage as it is in the low point of the watershed, thus creating a hardship for the property.

Bevins stated he had been maintaining the property and thought he would attempt to receive some income from the land. He stated his plan was to put 10-foot by 20-foot storage units on the lot and following a re-survey of the land to determine setbacks, if he could not put up 16 units he would leave it go. He planned to have it gated and access could only be obtained between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

While no comments against the proposal was heard prior to the meeting, Gerhard and Sherry Koehlinger were present to voice their objections. Sherry Koehlinger stated she is “so against” the request as it is a quiet area, and the street can hardly handle any traffic now. Gerhard Koehlinger further stated none of the streets are wide enough for two-way traffic and the location does not have good access. “There is already a small community auto salvage behind us. It would upset the whole balance of the neighborhood.

Paul Henning, adjacent property owner, stated he had concerns initially regarding traffic, but after speaking with Bevins his concerns were satisfied.

Jack Wilhite, board member, stated “any time a resident adjacent (to the property) is against it, it weighs awful heavily. Tammy Dalton, board member, agreed and made the motion to deny the request.

A third request, from Kelvin Wadkins, to put a retail store in a residential district was withdrawn.

The next meeting of the board will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28.