Zoners Table Car Dealership, Auction Variance
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
An applicant's request to operate a used car dealership and auction in Warsaw was tabled Monday night for more research.
The Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals tabled applicant Donald Bays' variance of use request to do business as Tri Lakes Auction at 740 W. Winona Avenue.
Board member Dan Hampton made the motion to table the request to allow Bays to meet with the Warsaw Plan Department and discuss parking adequacy, surface, lighting and occupancy at the facility.
Board members agreed more research was needed before a variance could be approved.
The variance would allow Bays to operate a used car dealership and auction at the location. He expects to have three employees, including himself and two family members. The hours of operation would be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with auctions periodically in the evenings two nights a week beginning at 7 p.m. until the merchandise is sold.
Bays attended the meeting and said he purchased the property 35 days ago that includes eight lots and access to the property from Winona Avenue and Jefferson Street.
"I think an auction and used car dealership would be good for Warsaw because it is a growing area that could benefit from such things," Bays said.
He said he remodeled the building with new restrooms, electrical work has been completed and four parking lot lights are being installed.
Since purchasing the building, he said he has received state certification to operate the building and the Warsaw Fire Department has toured the building and it passed safety inspection.
The parking lot currently is made of limestone and Bays said it can accommodate approximately 100 vehicles. Bays said his plan would be to build a larger building in a year to accommodate for auction items and suggested at that time a hard surface could be installed.
Board members addressed their concern with the parking lot currently not having a hard surface.
"I have no problem with a larger builder being built in the future, but I think a hard surface is appropriate and necessary for the safety of people who attend the auctions and purchase vehicles," said board member Rick Keeven.
"I don't feel qualified as a citizen to give advice, but I think we need to know as a board that experts have come up with plans for the facility."
Keeven suggested Bays meet with the plan department and discuss lighting, surface, parking adequacy and occupancy issues.
Hampton also agreed Bays should meet with the plan department before a variance is approved.
He suggested deflector lighting be installed to shield the facility's lights from other surrounding properties.
Board member Alan Clingan shared his concerns with the parking lot and surface accommodating the citizens who would attend auctions and purchase vehicles.
"I am concerned about the occupancy and public safety of the parking lot and think the planning department could look at these issues," Clingan said.
The board also approved two variances of use from development standards to allow for a fence and deck to be built at 5 Miner Drive.
Applicants Brian and Madeline Marquardt requested the variances to build a fence to protect their garden from deer and a larger deck to replace their current patio.
Board members are Alan Clingan, Tom Heuer, Rick Keeven, Dan Hampton and Bruce Woodward.
The board will meet Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at city hall. [[In-content Ad]]
An applicant's request to operate a used car dealership and auction in Warsaw was tabled Monday night for more research.
The Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals tabled applicant Donald Bays' variance of use request to do business as Tri Lakes Auction at 740 W. Winona Avenue.
Board member Dan Hampton made the motion to table the request to allow Bays to meet with the Warsaw Plan Department and discuss parking adequacy, surface, lighting and occupancy at the facility.
Board members agreed more research was needed before a variance could be approved.
The variance would allow Bays to operate a used car dealership and auction at the location. He expects to have three employees, including himself and two family members. The hours of operation would be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with auctions periodically in the evenings two nights a week beginning at 7 p.m. until the merchandise is sold.
Bays attended the meeting and said he purchased the property 35 days ago that includes eight lots and access to the property from Winona Avenue and Jefferson Street.
"I think an auction and used car dealership would be good for Warsaw because it is a growing area that could benefit from such things," Bays said.
He said he remodeled the building with new restrooms, electrical work has been completed and four parking lot lights are being installed.
Since purchasing the building, he said he has received state certification to operate the building and the Warsaw Fire Department has toured the building and it passed safety inspection.
The parking lot currently is made of limestone and Bays said it can accommodate approximately 100 vehicles. Bays said his plan would be to build a larger building in a year to accommodate for auction items and suggested at that time a hard surface could be installed.
Board members addressed their concern with the parking lot currently not having a hard surface.
"I have no problem with a larger builder being built in the future, but I think a hard surface is appropriate and necessary for the safety of people who attend the auctions and purchase vehicles," said board member Rick Keeven.
"I don't feel qualified as a citizen to give advice, but I think we need to know as a board that experts have come up with plans for the facility."
Keeven suggested Bays meet with the plan department and discuss lighting, surface, parking adequacy and occupancy issues.
Hampton also agreed Bays should meet with the plan department before a variance is approved.
He suggested deflector lighting be installed to shield the facility's lights from other surrounding properties.
Board member Alan Clingan shared his concerns with the parking lot and surface accommodating the citizens who would attend auctions and purchase vehicles.
"I am concerned about the occupancy and public safety of the parking lot and think the planning department could look at these issues," Clingan said.
The board also approved two variances of use from development standards to allow for a fence and deck to be built at 5 Miner Drive.
Applicants Brian and Madeline Marquardt requested the variances to build a fence to protect their garden from deer and a larger deck to replace their current patio.
Board members are Alan Clingan, Tom Heuer, Rick Keeven, Dan Hampton and Bruce Woodward.
The board will meet Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at city hall. [[In-content Ad]]