Area Plan Director Dan Richard, far left, points out a video of a property to board members and Attorney Steve Snyder, standing.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko Board of Zoning Appeals heard two different home-related business requests at the meeting held Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Robert  Mayhew, 10954 North CR 500E, Syracuse, requested an exception to allow a home-based business in an agricultural district.

Attorney Scott Reust, representing Mayhew, explained that the business specializes in building and selling food trucks. He further stated that since Mayhew became aware of the rules surrounding home-based businesses he put up additional fencing and screening, along with moving all fabricating inside a warehouse building.

Reust presented four letters of support from neighbors, but three neighbors attended the meeting opposing the request.

Dennis Garland, 5027 East CR 1100N, Syracuse, stated that even after the fabricating was moved inside the noise is still loud. The two other neighbors who spoke at the meeting also agreed that the noise level was very loud.

Reust stated that Mayhew would be willing to put up extra insulation or sound-proofing measures inside the warehouse building to decrease the sound levels.

“Obviously there are pretty strong feelings about the noise and so forth,” commented Chairman Lee Harman. “Maybe this just isn’t the right spot for this.”

The board unanimously denied the request.

The board also heard a request from Travis Mickem, 177 EMS W17 Lane, North Webster. The request was for an exception to a home occupation tree trimming business in a residential district.

Mickem was present at the meeting and explained that he has plans to build an additional 30′ by 40′ accessory building on his property to store his business-related equipment. Area Plan Director Dan Richard explained that with a home occupation business, everything business-related must remain stored inside at all times, which had not been previously done at the property.

The board received four letters of opposition from neighbors and several neighbors showed up to the meeting.

Neighbor Greg Schenkel noted that the business has been expanding significantly within the last 24 months and that it does not fit in with the surrounding residential area.

Based on Mickem’s agreement to abide by storing all business items inside his accessory buildings, the board approved the request.

The next Kosciusko County BZA meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the basement of the County Justice Building.

In other news:

• The continued requests made by Monica Welch, 121 E. Main St., Atwood, were heard again. The exception request to allow living quarters in the building was approved but the variance request to allow two uses on one tract of land, a residence and small motor repair, was denied.
• Brent Messmore, 671 North CR 225E, Warsaw, was approved for an exception to allow commercial recreation in an agricultural district. A barn on the property will be transformed into an event center to host reunions, parties and small weddings.
• LSEE, 5837 E. Island Ave., Syracuse, was approved for a variance and exception to permit the construction of a 6′ by 34′ open porch canopy roof on the side of a previously approved oversized boathouse.
• The Etna Green Mobile Home Park was approved for a variance to modify a previously approved variance. The request provides blanket approval for replacement units to be placed on vacant lots as long as they fit within the footprint of the previous unit.
• Kim Anderson, 46 EMS B61K Lane, Warsaw, requested a variance to change a previously granted variance. The request centers around remodeling an existing garage to raise the sidewalls 2′. Richard asked if the petitioner would be willing to move the garage an additional 5′ from the right-of-way in order to receive the higher sidewalls. The petitioner, through Steve Snyder, explained that they did not want to move the garage further back to protect their neighbor’s view of the water. The request was continued until the planning department can speak with the neighbor about the issue.
• Jeremy Weeks, 35 EMS B40F Lane, Warsaw, was approved for a variance to permit the construction of a new residence 18′ from the water’s edge and 12′ from the right-of-way.
• Ronald Warner, 38 EMS B56 Lane, Pierceton, was approved for an exception to construct a new pitched roof on an existing residence that is within 9.4′ of the right-of-way.
• Lasting Change, associated with Pierceton Woods Academy, requested an exception to allow agricultural uses in an Industrial II district. A representative of the school stated the land would be used to grow food and possibly raise animals to help teach students. The town of Pierceton requested time to discuss the specifics, so the board continued the request.
• Socks Real Estate, EMS W17 Lane, North Webster, requested an exception to allow a marina expansion for boat storage. Socks Marina recently bought land across the street from its existing marina to use for additional boat storage. A few neighbors had concerns about screening issues. The board continued the request to allow the marina and neighbors to come up with an agreement regarding screening.
• Brent Kirkham, 115 EMS B3 Lane, Pierceton, was approved for a variance to permit a lower carport with storage above to be constructed 9’6″ from the right-of-way and 25’6″ from the water’s edge.
• An exception request for Blue Barn Berry Farm, 9139 North CR 300E, Syracuse, was continued until all rezoning matters are resolved.