Officials of the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously denied a petition from Joe Jarboe Thursday.

Board members were leery of complications that could have occurred from the variance request.

Randy Hershberger, of Coach House Garages, represented the Jarboes during the meeting and requested a 10-foot setback variance for the property, located at 112 Boydston Street.

The request would have allowed the Jarboes to construct a garage on the northwest corner of the premises. One reason the board members opposed the matter was due to limited space between the garage and an adjacent road in construction plans.

Hershberger reported the land north of the property is a retention area, and said he anticipated no conflicts for neighbors if the garage were to be built.

Member Bruce Woodward said the area could potentially become a thoroughfare for a subdivision, yet to be completed.

"This could become one of three access points for Lakeland Villas, which I believe is still in the second phase of its construction," Woodward said. "This could be a major access point with a lot of traffic."

Members agreed the Jarboe's plans for the garage construction would become a future problem if the surrounding area were to further develop.

"I'm not thinking of what's taking place now. I'm thinking about what will take place 10 years from now," Woodward said.

City planner Jeremy Skinner, who recommended denial to the petition prior to Thursday's meeting, said the residents currently face no practical difficulties. According to Skinner, the Jarboes have sufficient room to build a garage on the property with a standard 15-foot setback.

"Once you begin allowing variances in these situations, you start eroding the city requirements," Skinner said.

In other issues, the board approved its 2006 schedule, which consists of 12 meetings, the next scheduled for Jan. 23.

Members are Woodward, Daniel Hampton, Tom Heuer, Rick Keeven and Alan Clingan. [[In-content Ad]]