Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals heard a petition from a boat company Thursday, June 21. Pictured, from left, are board members Jim Allegret, Joe Leatherman and Randy Cox. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)

SYRACUSE — A variance and an exception were approved at the regular meeting of the Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals Thursday, June 21. However, a variance and an exception for a boat company was not approved and was tabled for another month.

Boatworks USA’s petition is for an exception to allow boat sales and service in a commercial district.

The property is located at 615 S. Huntington St. The property is the site of Wawasee Cafe, which will close and be tore down if the petitions are granted.

The petitioner’s attorney, Randy Morgan, said a brand new building will be built. Sales, service and repair will take place at the new business.

“It’s not going to be a pole barn,” Morgan said, when asked by a board member.

Morgan said the new building will increase property values in the area and landscaping will be compatible with the area. The business can also reduce two parking spots, if necessary, for adequate visibility.

Morgan showed the proposed plans to the board. The proposed building will be 4,000 square feet.

The board, however, was reluctant to approve the petition for several reasons. One is parking issues and the other is visibility. The business wants to allow only 12 parking spaces when the ordinance requires 63 parking spaces.

“My concern is only 10 parking spots,” said Matt Pritchard, a board member. “These are big boats, and the road is so close.”

Chairman Larry Coplen agreed, stating, “Visibility could become an issue.”

“Parking is a commodity,” said Kosciusko County’s Assistant Planner Matt Sandy, who spoke to Syracuse Town Manager Henry DeJulia, who also said visibility and parking are concerns.

A business next the property, Picket Fences, also needs adequate parking, Sandy said. The two businesses share parking. However, Sandy, and committee members, said they’d like to see a written agreement or proposal about a parking agreement from both property owners first, if one even exists.

“We need more answers,” said Sandy. The board agreed. There was no remonstrators. However, after considerable debate, the petition was tabled until July’s meeting.

Boatworks USA’s petition for a variance was also tabled. The petitioner wants to allow the construction of a commercial building 5 feet from the north line, 20 feet from the east right of way, 15 feet from the west right of way, and 20 feet from the south right of way.

The variance would allow a 1,275 square foot display area, where the ordinance only allows 1,200 square feet.

Kelly Joe Properties’ petition for an exception was approved. It wants to allow two residential units in a commercial district.

The property is located at 110 E. Main St., next to a public parking lot.

Morgan also spoke on behalf of Kelly Joe Properties’ petition for a variance that was also approved. The petition to allow a deck to remain as constructed 9 feet from the west line and 9.75 feet from the east alley. It also wants to allow a change from a previous variance by allowing two of the three granted units to be residential. The case was approved with three restrictions: A permit is needed for the deck, only two parking permits will be allowed, and a maximum of two residential units and one commercial unit are allowed.

The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, July 19, at Syracuse Town Hall.