Popeyes Restaurant Coming To Warsaw After Zoning Approval
Maggie Kenworthy
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Warsaw will soon be home to a new fast-food restaurant after Popeyes received three variance approvals for the former Schoop’s Hamburger property during the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held tonight, Oct. 26.
Arc Design Resources, on behalf of Popeyes, requested three variances from development standards for the property located at 3501 Lake City Highway. The variances will allow for a five-foot setback as opposed to the required 15-foot front setback, allow for a three-foot setback from the required 10-foot landscape buffer and for a one-foot setback from the required 10-foot landscape buffer.
Johnny Latsko, assistant planner, explained that Schoop’s Hamburgers did not conform to these development standards either. The requested variance and proposed site plan are similar to the existing site.
“The parcel is a triangle shape that presents unique difficulties for developing within the landscaping and setback requirements set by the ordinance,” said Latsko. “Due to the unique conditions of this location, as well as the intent of the C-3 Zoning district, it is the opinion of the Planning Department that the board could look favorably upon this request.”
Ryan Swanson, with Arc Design Resources, was present representing the owner/operator of the franchise. According to Swanson, the owner has around 15 other locations.
It was noted that this new location would include a dual drive-thru. That along, with a more developed ingress and egress, would allow for adequate traffic flow.
The intention is to “redevelop the closed restaurants, Schoop’s hamburgers, with a basically new building fitting into this triangular property,” said Swanson.
The board unanimously approved the request.
Orthopediatrics, 2850 Frontier Drive, requested a variance that allows for a deviation from the facade requirements for an addition.
Latsko explained that facades greater than 100-foot in length are required to incorporate recesses and projections of a minimum of four-feet in depth and a minimum of 10 contiguous feet within every 100 feet of facade length. The requirements exist to create more visually appealing commercial districts.
Orthopediatrics plans to have a 225-foot facade, with architectural panels that match the existing building. Other appearance-focused design elements, such as accent colors, would be used.
“Over-all the addition would be aesthetically cohesive with the existing building and would not conflict visually with the neighboring buildings across Route 15,” said Latsko.” Due to the context of the site and its neighboring proximity to an I-2 district, it is the opinion of the planning department that the board could view this variance favorably. “
The board also unanimously approved this request.
In other news, the board also approved:
- A variance request made by Ricardo Saldivar, 513 N. Ellsworth St. The variance allows for a three-foot setback as opposed to the required 6-foot setback to accommodate an addition to the existing home.
- A special exception request made by Derek McGrew of Verizon Wireless for 2104 Biomet Drive. The exception allows a wireless communication facility, in the form of a 149-foot-tall manpole, in an I-2 district. The FFA has approved the plan. The pole will serve Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Dish Network.