Zoners Discuss Commerce Drive Storage Facility Variance Request
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
The Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals discussed a request by petitioner Herman and Kittle Properties Inc., Indianapolis, during its meeting Monday to build a self-storage facility adjacent to Aldi and Big R of Warsaw.[[In-content Ad]]The location of the proposed storage facility is at 3690 Commerce Drive.
Erika Scott, senior development associate for Herman and Kittle Properties Inc., attended Monday's meeting and discussed the business's development plans.
The petitioner is requesting to build a self-storage facility that includes enclosed storage units as permitted in the C-5 zoning district, according to planning information.
The petitioner also is requesting to build within the same development covered storage spaces in the form of carports, along with 20 available uncovered parking spaces. The request is considered outside storage and not a permitted use in the C-5 zoning district, according to planning information. The outside storage will be used for storing cars, trucks, boats and RVs, Scott said.
The board approved the variance for the self-storage facility subject to site and development plan approval by the plan commission.
Community Development Coordinator Gisele Cox presented a letter to board members that was submitted to the plan department Feb. 20 from Big R Stores, Watseka, Ill. The letter expressed concerns with the development's entrance going into Big R's property.
Scott said Herman and Kittle Properties Inc. submitted a letter to Big R Jan. 30 advising them of the proposed development.
The letter states, "Because your site plan does not show access to Commerce Drive from your property and due to our vital secured area of business already in place, we respectfully request that you change the design of your site plan accordingly."
The letter states Big R purchased the property Jan. 24 and applied for and received a permit from the city of Warsaw to erect a fence to store outdoor farm-related inventory as well as to secure an area to sell lawn and garden products in an outdoor retail environment. The letter states Commerce Drive is a private road owned by Big R.
"We want to be good neighbors with Big R and work with them and the city in the development process," Scott said.
Scott said the site plan could be revised to reconfigure the entrance to reduce from north and south access points to one access entrance.
The entire facility will be contained in a fully fenced-in secure, hard surface area. A proposed fence would be 6 feet high with decorative rod iron fencing and dusk-to-dawn lighting will be provided, she said.
Scott said there would be video surveillance on the property, and a gate access with a code password for users would be available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
She said license plate checks would be made to assure the vehicles on the property are properly plated.
"It think the storage facility is an appropriate use, but the entrance's egress is a concern," said board member Dan Hampton.
Scott said drainage would be addressed with the installation of a pond. Natural buffering from adjacent properties will be provided with the existing trees and woods.
"We want to make sure for many decades to come that the storage facility will be a viable investment," said board president Bruce Woodward.
The Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals discussed a request by petitioner Herman and Kittle Properties Inc., Indianapolis, during its meeting Monday to build a self-storage facility adjacent to Aldi and Big R of Warsaw.[[In-content Ad]]The location of the proposed storage facility is at 3690 Commerce Drive.
Erika Scott, senior development associate for Herman and Kittle Properties Inc., attended Monday's meeting and discussed the business's development plans.
The petitioner is requesting to build a self-storage facility that includes enclosed storage units as permitted in the C-5 zoning district, according to planning information.
The petitioner also is requesting to build within the same development covered storage spaces in the form of carports, along with 20 available uncovered parking spaces. The request is considered outside storage and not a permitted use in the C-5 zoning district, according to planning information. The outside storage will be used for storing cars, trucks, boats and RVs, Scott said.
The board approved the variance for the self-storage facility subject to site and development plan approval by the plan commission.
Community Development Coordinator Gisele Cox presented a letter to board members that was submitted to the plan department Feb. 20 from Big R Stores, Watseka, Ill. The letter expressed concerns with the development's entrance going into Big R's property.
Scott said Herman and Kittle Properties Inc. submitted a letter to Big R Jan. 30 advising them of the proposed development.
The letter states, "Because your site plan does not show access to Commerce Drive from your property and due to our vital secured area of business already in place, we respectfully request that you change the design of your site plan accordingly."
The letter states Big R purchased the property Jan. 24 and applied for and received a permit from the city of Warsaw to erect a fence to store outdoor farm-related inventory as well as to secure an area to sell lawn and garden products in an outdoor retail environment. The letter states Commerce Drive is a private road owned by Big R.
"We want to be good neighbors with Big R and work with them and the city in the development process," Scott said.
Scott said the site plan could be revised to reconfigure the entrance to reduce from north and south access points to one access entrance.
The entire facility will be contained in a fully fenced-in secure, hard surface area. A proposed fence would be 6 feet high with decorative rod iron fencing and dusk-to-dawn lighting will be provided, she said.
Scott said there would be video surveillance on the property, and a gate access with a code password for users would be available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
She said license plate checks would be made to assure the vehicles on the property are properly plated.
"It think the storage facility is an appropriate use, but the entrance's egress is a concern," said board member Dan Hampton.
Scott said drainage would be addressed with the installation of a pond. Natural buffering from adjacent properties will be provided with the existing trees and woods.
"We want to make sure for many decades to come that the storage facility will be a viable investment," said board president Bruce Woodward.
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