BZA Denies Parking Proposal
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Brett Crume and Pam Hunter's request to construct a parking lot at 120 N. Scott St. was unanimously denied by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals Monday night.
The motion came after board members heard from several neighboring residents who expressed concerns regarding drainage, nighttime activity and property values of the area if the construction was to take place.
Brett Crume, owner of Re/Max Rainbow Realtors, proposed the parking lot in efforts to create additional spaces for employees and customers. The property currently has gravel parking on the southern parcel of the lot.
"I'm not opposed to the company, but I'd hate to see the erosion of Main Street," Kosciusko Superior Court Judge and local resident Jim Jarrette said. "Once it's changed, I don't believe you can ever change it back, and I'd hate to see the character changed in the neighborhood."
Member Alan Clingan agreed with Jarrette's statement, saying that the residential area could face additional requests for commercialization if the motion passed.
"The best word I can think of for this situation is 'creep,'" Clingan said. "We've allowed parking in the area, and now there's a request for a full paved lot. Though I'm not disagreeing with improvement, I don't like the idea of continuing to allow business growth in residential communities."
Board members discussed negative factors that the parking lot could potentially bring to surrounding properties, and ruled against the request on grounds that property values would suffer under the proposed conditions.
"If I'm looking at a new home, I definitely don't want to move next to a parking lot," BZA vice president Bruce Woodward said. "I truly believe it would affect resale values in a negative fashion."
City Planner Jeremy Skinner recommended the request prior to the BZA meeting. The board decision does not effect Crume's current use of the property. Parking will still be allowed on the graveled area.
Present members were Woodward, Clingan, Tom Heuer, Rick Keeven and Council Representative Bill Rhoades. President Daniel Hampton was absent. [[In-content Ad]]
Brett Crume and Pam Hunter's request to construct a parking lot at 120 N. Scott St. was unanimously denied by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals Monday night.
The motion came after board members heard from several neighboring residents who expressed concerns regarding drainage, nighttime activity and property values of the area if the construction was to take place.
Brett Crume, owner of Re/Max Rainbow Realtors, proposed the parking lot in efforts to create additional spaces for employees and customers. The property currently has gravel parking on the southern parcel of the lot.
"I'm not opposed to the company, but I'd hate to see the erosion of Main Street," Kosciusko Superior Court Judge and local resident Jim Jarrette said. "Once it's changed, I don't believe you can ever change it back, and I'd hate to see the character changed in the neighborhood."
Member Alan Clingan agreed with Jarrette's statement, saying that the residential area could face additional requests for commercialization if the motion passed.
"The best word I can think of for this situation is 'creep,'" Clingan said. "We've allowed parking in the area, and now there's a request for a full paved lot. Though I'm not disagreeing with improvement, I don't like the idea of continuing to allow business growth in residential communities."
Board members discussed negative factors that the parking lot could potentially bring to surrounding properties, and ruled against the request on grounds that property values would suffer under the proposed conditions.
"If I'm looking at a new home, I definitely don't want to move next to a parking lot," BZA vice president Bruce Woodward said. "I truly believe it would affect resale values in a negative fashion."
City Planner Jeremy Skinner recommended the request prior to the BZA meeting. The board decision does not effect Crume's current use of the property. Parking will still be allowed on the graveled area.
Present members were Woodward, Clingan, Tom Heuer, Rick Keeven and Council Representative Bill Rhoades. President Daniel Hampton was absent. [[In-content Ad]]