Pictured, from left, are Justin Taylor, Tom Allen, and Rick Keeven.

WARSAW — The Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals heard two use variances and one variance from development standards at its monthly meeting held Tuesday, May 29.

The big topic of the evening was a use variance from Petitioner Randy Hall, CEO of Cardinal Services, Warsaw. He requested a use variance to allow an institutional use that involves light manufacturing to be located within a C-2 zoning district. Hall stated that Cardinal Services would also like to relocate the majority of its services to the former Marsh Supermarket location.

The property, located at 502 S. Buffalo St., is currently vacant. Approximately 100 employees with varying developmental abilities would complete a light manufacturing program in the building.

Several board members and volunteers for Cardinal Services spoke at the meeting, stating that with the current facility, there are significant accessibility barriers. One in six of their clients use a wheelchair.

Hall stated that the facility would become the corporate headquarters for Cardinal Services, offering a greater variety of programs for their clients.

“We’d like to create spaces for services that we unfortunately can’t offer in our current location,” said Hall.

He said that spaces would be created regarding recreation, music, art and job training. An after-school program is also in those plans. If approved, Hall said renovations to the building would begin in the late spring or summer of 2019. There would be minor exterior modifications to the current facility.

Bruce Woodward, Woodward Realty, stated that he was in favor of the relocation.

“It’s a really good opportunity for economic development,” said Woodward.

Tina Phipps, owner of T’s Styling Studio, was present at the meeting and said that she wished to see the property be used as a retail area because of the foot traffic.

The board asked Hall questions regarding the manufacturing. He stated that the program would allow for clients to receive job training in order to join the outside workforce. The manufacturing program itself would only take up about 25 percent of the space in the building.

“The manufacturing itself is very light,” said Hall. “Right now, the loudest noise in that room is a radio.”

Hall said that Cardinal Services is looking into purchasing the property.

Board Member Rick Keeven stated that moving Cardinal Services to that location would make a positive statement since it would be near one of the main road entries into the city. The board also discussed how the relocation could positively impact downtown businesses and lead to economic development.

The board approved the request.

The board also addressed regarding a use variance to allow a multi-family dwelling in a R-1 zoning district. Annelise Galloway, wife of Petitioner and Owner Toby Galloway, attended the meeting.

The property, located at 4 Yarnelle Lane, currently has a guesthouse and a boathouse. The guesthouse functions as a non-conforming rented living space.

R-1 zoning districts are the most restrictive in residential districts. Multi-family uses are rarely approved by the board, as there have only been two approved cases like this one in the past 20 years.

The Planning Department stated that the case should not be viewed favorably because of its potentially detrimental impact on surrounding properties.

Galloway stated that she and her husband wanted to create more usable space for visiting family and friends. She said that they were exploring options and were informed that speaking to the board was the first step.

Several residents from the area spoke in opposition of the variance. They stated that the lane is narrow and that more added car traffic would negatively impact the district.

The board did not approve the variance.

A variance from development standards was received by Petitioner Creative Sign Resources. A Sunoco gas station, located at 702 S. Buffalo St., is requesting a variance to permit a sign that is greater than 32 square feet in area and that exceeds 8 feet in height.

The proposed sign would maintain its current height of 20 feet, but with a 72 square foot sign face. Historically, these variances have been granted in this location, as fueling stations need extra square footage to electronically display gas prices.

The Planning Department stated that this case could be viewed favorably, as the sign would not create vision or clearance issues because of its ground clearance and setback from the road.

Ron Mitchel, Creative Sign Resources, was present at the meeting. He stated that the current sign does not fit rebranding purposes, as the station will be remodeled into a Lassus Handy Dandy. The current steel for the sign would be reutilized.

The board approved the variance.

In other business:

• The board approved April 23 meeting minutes
• The next regular meeting will be held Monday, June 25.