WARSAW — The Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals met at 7 p.m. Monday, May 23, in order to discuss a requested variance for a vacant building at the corner of Pope and McClellan streets.

A variance is a exception to zoning laws that can be granted by the board of zoning appeals if it decides that the petitioner’s reasons are valid.

The petitioner, Scott Wickens, was requesting the variance in order to house a new motorcycle repair shop. Tim Dombrosky, the assistant city planner, originally made a recommendation to deny the variance on the grounds that the building could be used for many other things that would not require the granting of a variance.

Rick Keevan, a member of the board, opened discussion to the public and Wickens made his case. He stated that his business would be a part-time business, only open in the evening and on the weekends. He continued, saying that he had gathered the signatures of adjacent property owners as a show of support.

The board considered his efforts and moved to approve the variance, but only if certain requirements were met. First, the board required that Wickens employ no more than two people aside from himself, and secondly that the shop remain a motorcycle repair shop, and not branch into cars.

Wikins accepted these restrictions, and the variance was granted.

The next board of zoning appeals meeting will  be at 7 p.m. Monday, June 27.