Horizon Bank, located at 433 Anchorage Road, Warsaw.

WARSAW — Three variance requests were approved at the City of Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held Monday, April 23. 

The first two variance requests were submitted by Landmark Sign Group, Chesterton. Shaun O’Brien with Landmark Sign Group was in attendance as a representative of Horizon Bank. 

The petitioner requested a variance from development standards to permit a second freestanding sign that has an area greater than 32 square feet and a height greater than 8 feet. Currently, there is a freestanding sign on the west side of the property, located alongside a private road. The petitioner requested approval to place a second sign along Anchorage Road, with a sign face measurement of 41.5 square feet and a height of 10 feet.

The petitioner’s property is located adjacent to a C-3 zoning district. Within C-3 zoning districts, businesses are permitted to have one freestanding sign per frontage of public road. 

“We want to do something large enough that you can hopefully see it from the light and that can guide them in. Once they’re on Anchorage Road then that will show them the private road that heads north and leads to the parking lot,” O’Brien stated.

There was discussion regarding the visual impact a second freestanding sign might have, with the conclusion being that the visual impact of having a second freestanding sign would not be aesthetically different than the adjacent zoning district where freestanding signs are permitted for each frontage of public road. 

Rick Goshert, co-owner of the property adjacent to the bank, shared concerns regarding accidents in that area. Goshert  feels a 20 feet setback would be the minimum for a reasonable setback distance due to all the accidents that occur in that area related to traffic congestion

“There are wrecks out there easily once a week at that intersection or in the line of traffic trying to enter and exit the strip of businesses in that area,” said Goshert.

The recommendation of the planning department was that the case could be viewed favorably; however, they did request that the BZA make the variance contingent upon a setback restriction of 20 feet from the south right of way line, with the reasoning being that a setback will increase visibility for motorists entering and exiting the site and will leave space for future infrastructure improvements happening along Anchorage Road. 

Board members approved both the second freestanding sign and the measurements of the sign face.

In the third variance request, Juan Malagon, petitioner, requested a variance from development standards to permit an accessory structure of 960 square feet to be located on a lot within an R-2 zoning district. The city ordinance does not permit an accessory structure greater than 720 square feet if the lot size is less than 10,285 square feet. 

This property is designated as medium density residential per the comprehensive plan. The planning department determined that additions to homes in this area should be encouraged to maintain value in a competitive market. The proposed accessory building and additional drive will not exceed the permitted impervious lot coverage of 50 percent, and petitioner will adhere to all other ordinances pertaining to accessory structures. This request was approved by the BZA.

Other News: 

• The next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday,  May 29.