Winona Planners Approve Commercial, Industrial Building Permit Fees

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Jennifer [email protected]

WINONA LAKE - Fees for permits to construct new commercial and industrial buildings in Winona Lake will be recommended to the town council.

The Winona Lake Plan Commission approved during Tuesday's plan commission meeting building permit fees that will be implemented into the town's building code if approved by the town council.[[In-content Ad]]The permit fees approved for new construction of commercial and industrial buildings include $150 for up to 2,500 square feet; $350 for 2,501 to 5,000 square feet; $500 for 5,000 to 10,000 square feet; $350 for 5,001 to 10,000 square feet; and $750 for more than 10,000 square feet.

A $25 fee for new electrical services for buildings in the town also was approved.

"The town has never had an electrical service fee printed in our zoning ordinance and I have established the amount," said building commissioner Dick Leaf.

The commission also discussed a public sidewalk fee for Winona Lake residents who construct a public sidewalk in the town.

Leaf recommended a $25 fee for residents who construct sidewalks in the town.

"The sidewalk is being put in to benefit the public and I realize the town has the labor of inspecting it to make sure it meets town specifications, but I don't think residents should be required to pay a fee to construct a sidewalk," said town coordinator Craig Allebach.

The commission approved a motion that residents must get a permit to construct a sidewalk in the town, but a permit fee will not be required.

The commission also discussed fence permits for the town.

Leaf said he wanted to update the town's zoning ordinance code book for fence requirements for residential, commercial and industrial areas in the town.

He said he researched city ordinances for fences in cities and towns such as Warsaw, Garrett, Plymouth and Columbia City.

Leaf said in his research he found rules that privacy fences and fences in commercial districts should not exceed 6 feet.

"I am not sure if a 6-foot fence is high enough for a residential area in Winona Lake," Leaf said.

He suggested the commission consider a 7-foot fence from the front setback of the house to rear setback of the house.

Commission member Mike Grill said he will speak with Phil Dick who installs fencing in Warsaw about available fencing heights for residential, commercial and industrial areas in the town.

Accessory buildings also were discussed during the meeting.

Leaf defined an accessory building as a building such as a shed that complements a house.

Leaf found in his research towns that allow one accessory building, but the plan commission approved at its Jan. 9 meeting allowing two accessory buildings with a garage in the town.

He said he felt allowing two accessory buildings was still appropriate.

WINONA LAKE - Fees for permits to construct new commercial and industrial buildings in Winona Lake will be recommended to the town council.

The Winona Lake Plan Commission approved during Tuesday's plan commission meeting building permit fees that will be implemented into the town's building code if approved by the town council.[[In-content Ad]]The permit fees approved for new construction of commercial and industrial buildings include $150 for up to 2,500 square feet; $350 for 2,501 to 5,000 square feet; $500 for 5,000 to 10,000 square feet; $350 for 5,001 to 10,000 square feet; and $750 for more than 10,000 square feet.

A $25 fee for new electrical services for buildings in the town also was approved.

"The town has never had an electrical service fee printed in our zoning ordinance and I have established the amount," said building commissioner Dick Leaf.

The commission also discussed a public sidewalk fee for Winona Lake residents who construct a public sidewalk in the town.

Leaf recommended a $25 fee for residents who construct sidewalks in the town.

"The sidewalk is being put in to benefit the public and I realize the town has the labor of inspecting it to make sure it meets town specifications, but I don't think residents should be required to pay a fee to construct a sidewalk," said town coordinator Craig Allebach.

The commission approved a motion that residents must get a permit to construct a sidewalk in the town, but a permit fee will not be required.

The commission also discussed fence permits for the town.

Leaf said he wanted to update the town's zoning ordinance code book for fence requirements for residential, commercial and industrial areas in the town.

He said he researched city ordinances for fences in cities and towns such as Warsaw, Garrett, Plymouth and Columbia City.

Leaf said in his research he found rules that privacy fences and fences in commercial districts should not exceed 6 feet.

"I am not sure if a 6-foot fence is high enough for a residential area in Winona Lake," Leaf said.

He suggested the commission consider a 7-foot fence from the front setback of the house to rear setback of the house.

Commission member Mike Grill said he will speak with Phil Dick who installs fencing in Warsaw about available fencing heights for residential, commercial and industrial areas in the town.

Accessory buildings also were discussed during the meeting.

Leaf defined an accessory building as a building such as a shed that complements a house.

Leaf found in his research towns that allow one accessory building, but the plan commission approved at its Jan. 9 meeting allowing two accessory buildings with a garage in the town.

He said he felt allowing two accessory buildings was still appropriate.
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