Bruce Woodward, standing, was present at the meeting to request a variance from developmental standards to move a sign located at 1128 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw.

WARSAW — During the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held tonight, July 27, the board unanimously approved all three requests. This meeting was held at City Hall but streamed online with some board members opting to attend virtually. Visitor comments were welcome via text.

Sandra Del Pilar Foreman of 119 E. Baker St., Warsaw, requested a use variance to allow for a home occupation in an R-1 zone. The occupation would consist of beauty services.

Foreman estimated that the business would see two to six clients per day depending on demand. The hours of operation would be within the normal working hours Tuesdays through Fridays and during the morning hours on Saturdays. Clients would be asked to park in the house’s existing driveway.

According to Johnny Latsko, assistant planner, the neighborhood is mostly residential but Weed Septic Tank Services is located on the east side of the neighborhood. Because of this existing business traffic, this use variance would not generate “negligible additional traffic”.

During the discussion period, board members agreed that there have been several similar beauty shop requests that have been approved. Based on this comment, the board voted unanimously to approve the request.

Bruce Woodward of 1128 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw, requested a variance from developmental standards to allow for a sign to be placed zero feet from the property line. Existing regulation requires a 10-foot setback.

The plan is to move the existing sign 46 feet east of its current location and maintain it’s current setback. According to Latsko, moving the sign would not dramatically change vision clearance for drivers.

“What I’m looking to do is move the existing sign 46 feet to the east because I’ve put in new sidewalks for pedestrian safety,” said Woodward. “East Winona Avenue does get quite a bit of traffic, East Winona Avenue is quite a bit wider than it used to be … we’ve put a new private sidewalk against the building and the sign was too wide to fit at that location.”

The board voted to unanimously approve this request.

Lillian Fleming of 105 Gilliam Drive, Warsaw, requested a variance from development standards to allow two accessory structures to be built on a lot with no primary structure. Fleming’s residence is built on a lot across the street, on the north side of Gilliam Drive.

Fleming intends to build a 10-foot by 12-foot shed near the lake as well as a 12-foot by 12-foot pergola. The shed would be used primarily for personal storage with no driveway being built.

“I paddleboard on Center Lake and it would be much easier to have a shed down by the lake to hold my paddleboard instead of carrying it across three acres to the lake,” said Fleming.

The ordinance currently does not allow the construction of accessory structures prior to a primary structure. In addition, the property is unique because according to the comprehensive plan it is in an area marked for conservation. According to Latsko, this classification does not remove development rights but encourages land uses that protect existing environmental features and promote recreation. Latsko recommended approval for the request.

The board unanimously approved this request.