Brian Rhoades, left, addresses the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals. In the middle is Matt Sandy, area plan commissioner. In the back, from left, are Lee Harman, Randy Cox and Ron Robinson. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — After hearing from both supporters and remonstrators during its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 11,  the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals continued a petiton for an exception to construct three storage buildings in Turkey Creek Township.

Local attorney Scott Federoff, representing both the property owner and contractor, told the board the property known as the “Stimmel property,” would have three condemned homes removed and replaced with three buildings to be used as storage condos.

The site plan showed each building would have approximately 16 storage condos although Federoff noted site conditions may reduce the actual number of condos. Each condo will be privately owned, they will not be available to rent. There will be fencing between the buildings and four lights surrounding the parameter of the building. Each condo will have its own motion sensor light outside as well.

The entrance into the storage condo area will be on Black Point Road.

Federoff addressed a number of concerns and rumors regarding the project. The first being  Curt Hursey intended to move his contracting business to the site. “He’s been in the same location for 42 years, ” Federoff said.

The storage condos will have low traffic, will be non-polluting and no flammable or explosive material will be allowed to be stored in the condos. Outside storage will not be allowed as well. The condos will also offer offsite parking for owners who have visitors. The area will be landscaped and maintained as well.

Federoff noted the property owner, Melanie McBride, lives in the neighborhood and cannot access her home without passing the property. An area realtor provided a letter of support for the project. Federoff noted he passed along eight letters of support and seven emails of support for the project to the board.

Neighbor Leona Horman, who owns the property across the street gave strong support for the storage condos. “It tickles us to death there will not be residences like that again,” she told the board. “It has been out of control for years. Mrs. McBride (the property owner) is just trying to clean things up.”

John Kellogg, who lives in the neighborhood, also spoke in support, telling the BZA he is familiar with the area and the property. “It’s a real disaster up there…20 years ago, I joined the sheriff’s department. We had a lot of issues there. Its (the project) going to clean it up.”

Jeff Drake was the first to remonstrate, expressing concern about the storage condos creating impervious surfaces with no sediment or retention ponds for storm water. Matt Sandy, area plan commissioner, noted the site will be subject to storm water control, meaning it will need to keep storm water on site.

Jeff Berg told the board he’s watched the property for a long time. While he agrees with getting rid of the condemned homes, he believes the project is just replacing them with something similar.

Nicholas Hurberg expressed concern about people purchasing a storage condo and using it as alternative housing. Sandy noted there would be no water or sewer available

Another remonstrator told the board a lot of his questions had been answered during the hearing. “Nothing but riff raff has been there,” he said. He did feel storage units could decrease area property values.

Judy Wolfe, who lives next door to the property, told the board the fire chief has raised concerns about vehicles with gas in them. She also questioned whether storage condos were the best use of the property. Her recommendation was to build homes on the property.

With an equal amount of supporters and remonstrators, the board chose to continue the case for 30 days to allow the full board, members John Beer and Kevin McSherry were absent, to review all the proposal and material presented. This will also allow the neighbors to continue discussions on the matter.

The BZA also continued the case of Michael and Jill Morrolf. The couple are seeking a variance to permit the construction of a new residence 0 feet from the east sideline, 0 feet from the west sideline and 0 feet from the street in Plain Township. Local attorney Steve Snyder, representing, the couple, asked the board for guidance.

He explained the contractor who built the house 100 years ago placed the house on the lot crooked, the house next door to the east is also crooked on its lot. There is also a permanent mutual easement between the two properties since 1993.

The petitioners want to build a new home while addressing all current encroachments. Because of the mutual easement, the petitioner’s home cannot be pivoted.

Adam Reed, the neighbor on the west side of the Morrolf property, said the neighborhood is so tight, everyone needs to get along. He also brought up concerns regarding a future garage due to where a sewer grinder is supposed to go. Sandy noted that was not part of the hearing. A permit would have to be acquired for the future garage.

Reed told the board he and several neighbors would like the request tabled and everyone go into mediation. Snyder said he understood Reed’s concern regarding the location of the grinder station. As for mediation, he hadn’t seen the petition yet so he could not respond to it.

Sandy asked if the mutual easement could be adjusted if the house was pivoted. Snyder said he didn’t think so.

The board moved to continue the matter for 30 days to get more information regarding the sewer. It also gives the neighbors time to discuss the matter further.

The board approved the following:

• Approved a petition for Lucas Zartman for a variance to reconstruct a residence in Tippecanoe Township. The approval is with the contingency Zartman works with Sandy.

• Approved a petition for John Diehl to place an enclosed carport 30 feet from the right of way. Diehl’s property is in Seward Township.

• Approved a petition from Ross Deatsman for a variance to construct residence additions, 3 feet 7 inches at the closest point to the south property line, a garage addition 20 feet, 8 inches from the west right-of-way. The property is located in Plain Township.

• Approved a petition for a variance from Kathleen Sarros to construction a residence addition 5.6 feet from the right of way and the construction of a detached garage 5 feet from the east property line and 4.4 feet from the right of way. The property is in Tippecanoe Township. The board approved the motion if the garage is moved back to 15 feet from the south property line.

• Approved a petition for a variance from Brian Rhoades for an outdoor kitchen to remain 2 inches from the north property line and to be 17 feet to the water’s edge. The property is in Turkey Creek Township. Rhoades told the board he worked with his neighbor on the hardscaping. It was noted he hired a professional contractor who claimed he didn’t realize a permit was needed. Rhoades received an after the fact permit.

• Approved a petition for a variance from Lonny Hodges to allow two residences on one tract of ground while constructing/setting a new residence. The property is located in Seward Township.

• Approved a petition for a variance from Vanessa Meza to permit an existing mobile home on the property to be used for overflow family. The property is in Wayne Township. The approval comes with a requirement for a restrictive covenant so the mobile home can only be used for over flow visitors.

The Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, in the multipurpose room in the basement of the Justice Building.