WARSAW — Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals approved a use variance to allow the building formerly housing the Baker Youth Club, 765 W. Market St., to be used as a church.

Charles “Tom” Diecks, senior pastor of Branches Vineyard Church, came before the board Monday evening seeking the use variance. The property was previously constructed and used as an indoor recreation center. The church is in the process of purchasing the property.

According to a written statement by Tim Dombrosky, assistant city planner, the facility, because it was constructed as a youth club, has constraints in the use and layout of its rooms, making it difficult to reuse. According to Dombrosky, a church would make good reuse of the building and be similar in intensity to the youth club. The property is zoned 1-2 with access to Market Street. There is adequate parking behind the building and a commercial cut to the street, causing no adverse effects to the neighborhood.

He stated if it was in a residential zoned area there would be special exceptions, however, it would still meet the more stringent residential zone requirements for a special exception.

Dombrosky also noted that reuse of this property under the industrial requirements would be difficult and less desirable as it is directly adjacent to residences. “This is an ideal use for vacant industrial property,” he stated.

This was the shortest meeting on record for the BZA, lasting just over 2 minutes.

The next meeting of the BZA will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23.