Members of the Kosciusko County BZA discuss conditions for an exception to allow a home occupation.

KOSCIUSKO — During the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held this morning, July 9, board members approved an exception to allow a dog breeding home occupation that has been on the agenda for months.

Jacob Ponko, of 1215 East CR 350N, Warsaw, petitioned for an exception to allow a home occupation for dog breeding in a residential district. In previous months, neighbors appeared at the meetings in opposition to the request and the board requested all parties meet together to find a compromise.

The neighbors submitted a letter of four conditions to the board. They requested that the home have adequate fencing to enclose the yard, that all dogs are brought inside at night, a maximum of six adult dogs allowed on the premise at one time and that there be a maximum of three litters produced per year.

Ponko countered those points and requested eight adult dogs be allowed at one time and only allow two litters per year.

The board approved the exception with the conditions permitting a maximum of eight adult dogs and a maximum of two litter per year, along with other conditions.

In other matters, Blue Barn Berry Farm, 9139 North CR 300E, Syracuse, withdrew the petition for exception they requested at last month’s meeting. Instead, they are seeking the property to be rezoned from a residential district to an agricultural district. The rezoning request is expected to come before the Kosciusko County Area Plan meeting in August.

A lengthy discussion was held regarding a variance request made by LSEE for 5837 E. Island Ave., Syracuse. The request would allow a modification to an existing bridge to increase the turn radius and to construct a boathouse with second-story living quarters with a setback of zero feet from the water’s edge. Attorney Steve Snyder explained that the boathouse was previously approved for the same setbacks, just without the second-story living quarters.

The board agreed to separate the request into two parts and approved the bridge modifications. A neighbor who uses the bridge to access her home was assured that they would retain access to their home at all times throughout the construction for their convenience and in the case of an emergency.

The boathouse request involved a little more discussion. A letter from the Wawasee Property Owner’s Association was submitted which opposed the addition of the second-story living quarters. The letter expressed concern with setting a precedent for this kind of variance. The board members agreed with this opinion and denied the boathouse portion of the variance request.

The next BZA meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13.

In other news:

• Noah Anderson was approved for a variance to permit the construction of a new residence on the east side of West Street in Milford.
• Dane Hosler’s petition for a variance to permit the construction of a concrete shed within 13 feet from the water’s edge was continued once again. Hosler’s attorney is hoping a favorable resolution can be found with an on-site visit from representatives of the planning department.
• Rodney and Vicki French, of 177 EMS B48 Lane, Warsaw, were approved for a variance to construct a residence addition within 3.6 feet from the east sideline.
• Patricia Falk, of 14 EMS T21 Lane, Leesburg, was approved for a variance to permit decking to remain as constructed within zero feet from the northeast property line. The approval is contingent on a letter of support from the neighbor directly affected.
• Elizabeth and James Glasson, of 5313 W. Warren Ave., Silver Lake, were approved for a variance to allow the construction of a residence accessory gazebo within 3.5 feet from a side property line. This approval is also contingent on a letter of support from the affected neighbor.
• A petition for a variance to allow the construction of an enclosed porch 20 feet to the water’s edge and three feet to the side property line at 18 EMS B42E Lane, Warsaw, was continued. Petitioners Michael and Margaret Scherer were not at the meeting to present their request.
• Kim Brown, of 3493 East CR 500S, Warsaw, was approved for a variance to permit a solar panel to remain as placed without a permit nine feet from the right-of-way. Representatives of Collier’s Heating & Air Conditioning were present as they installed the panels and said they were unaware of the ordinance restrictions.
• 13 South Storage Condos, located on SR 13 in North Webster was approved for an exception to allow outside storage in a commercial district. The approval is contingent based upon only allowing legal RV’s and boats to be stored outside and only a maximum of 18 units at once.
• Armstrong Holdings, specifically the Lassus Handy Dandy in North Webster, was approved for both a variance and an exception. The exception allows a temporary storage pod to be used on the property for a maximum of five months. The variance allows for the temporary storage unit to be replaced with a permanent storage building within 13 feet from the west right-of-way.
• A petition for a variance on Keith Street in Pierecton to allow the placement of a residence with 15 feet from the right-of-way was continued at the request of the town of Pierceton.
• Josh Boren was approved for a variance on CR 175E, Leesburg, to allow two residences on one tract of ground for a maximum of five years. At the end of five years, the old residence must be demolished or the tract of ground be split.