Attorney Richard Helm, far left, represented Storage Near Me during the Kosciusko BZA meeting.

By Maggie Kenworthy
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A storage business to be located in North Webster received Kosciusko Board of Zoning Appeals approval during the meeting held Tuesday afternoon, July 13.

The proposed plan provided by Storage Near Me. This would be completed in phases, with just two buildings constructed to begin with.

Self Storage Near Me, 5045 N. CR 750E, North Webster, requested an exception to allow the expansion and addition of storage warehousing in an agricultural district. The plans presented included up to 15 storage buildings, an outside storage area and an area to hold mobile storage units.

Attorney Richard Helm was present at the meeting to represent the request. He stated that the proposed construction would be done in phases, with just two buildings being constructed at first. The actual number and placement of buildings may change, but permits will be received before the construction of individual buildings.

Area Plan Director Dan Richard brought up the need for 6-foot solid screening to exist around the residential area and the mobile storage area. Helm agreed that this would be in place before construction began in the associated areas. It was also noted that a complete drainage plan for all the proposed additions must be approved before any construction begins.

One letter of remonstrance was presented to the board and neighbor John Schenkel was present to also oppose the request.

“It’s just going to be visibly terrible,” stated Schenkel. “I’m totally against it.”

The board voted unanimously to approve it based on the conditions that screening and a drainage plan be completed.

Also in North Webster, the board heard an exception request to allow motor vehicle sales, service and repair in a commercial district.

Hayden Piersall, representing The Car Mart, made the request for the old gas station located at 413 N. Main St., North Webster. Currently, the property is being used as a service location for The Car Mart’s sale location in Milford. The hope is to expand the business and sell vehicles out of both locations.

Piersall explained that his long-term goal would include tearing down the old building and replacing it with a new one. But for now, he would update the exterior to match the logo of his business, re-gravel the parking lot, add lights on the north side of the property and add additional cameras.

Richard brought up the need for screening from the cemetery and adjacent residences. It was also noted that the North Webster Town Board is requesting letters of support from all adjacent neighbors before the board takes any action on the request.

Because of this, the board voted to continue the request until the next meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 10. This will allow Piersall time to get letters from the neighbors and present them to the North Webster Town Board.

In other news, the board:

• Approved a variance request made by Jan Morrison, 11742 N. Sunrise Drive, Syracuse. This permits the construction of a residence addition in the form of a pergola eight feet and two inches from the west water’s edge, 16 feet and nine inches from the north water’s edge and 18 feet and five inches from the east water’s edge.
• Approved an exception request made by Judith Wolfe for a property located on the north side of Elm Grove, south of Black Point Road in Syracuse. This allows for a residence accessory to remain with no residence. Wolfe has four years to build a residence on the property or the case will be reviewed by the board.
• Approved a variance request made by Charles and Kim Plumer, 201 EMS B1 Lane, Pierceton. This permits the construction of a new residence 10 feet from the right-of-way, six feet from the east sideline and 22 feet from the water’s edge. This also permits the construction of a garage five feet from the north property line, five feet from the east property line and 20 feet from the south right-of-way. The current residence and shed will be removed.
• Approved a variance request made by Gary and Edna Borkholder, 10656 West CR 1100N, Nappanee. This permits the construction of a building addition at 26 feet from the right-of-way and allows for dust collection equipment to remain at zero feet from the west sideline.
• Approved a variance request made by James and Marie Beagle, 11273 N. Cedar Point Low Road, Syracuse. This permits the construction of second-story living quarters to the existing boathouse at 1 foot and three inches from the west sideline and zero feet from the water’s edge. If needed, the building may need to be removed and reconstructed at the same footprint due to the existing boat well. This was approved with the covenant that the boathouse is for family use only and not to be rented out.
• Approved a variance request made by Brian and Lora Rhoades, 11738 N. Sunrise Drive, Syracuse. This is to permit the construction of a residence addition at three feet and five inches from the north sideline and to stay in line with the current house from the water’s edge.