One of two churches won approval Monday for future plans by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals.

The two groups were seeking approval for new locations, but in differently zoned areas of the city.

The Church of Jesus Christ  saw its request for a variance within a Commercial-2 zone approved. The group has been in existence for nearly two dozen years and has begun using a former retail space at 1505 N. Detroit St., next to a Sherwin Williams paint store and across the street from Rock Bottom of Warsaw.

The board discussed some concerns about parking, but was told about additional space that can be made available.

The group has about 20 to 30 members and they currently need about six or seven parking spaces, said P.J. Cox, a property manager representing the petitioner.



[[In-content Ad]]

Cox said he’s not aware of any neighbors upset with the circumstances.

The other request was for a non-denominational congregation known as The Ruwm, which is Hebrew for exalt.

The 40 to 50 members have been meeting most recently in a funeral home meeting room, and had been eyeing property behind the old Aldi grocery store on Commerce Drive on the city’s east side.

Monica Adkins, the praise and worship leader for the church, said they were in discussions to purchase the land and construct a church.

However, the request was pulled back Monday after representatives learned that the tract is part of a C-5 zone and was incompatible because of a pre-existing business, namely a  liquor store.

City zoning prohibits certain businesses from being within a certain distance of a  church.

Even if there wasn’t a existing business that conflicted with the church, allowing the church into the C-5 district would restrict the rights of other nearby property owners, said board member Rick Keeven. In this case, the plan department did not offer a favorable recommendation.

Assistant Planner Justin Taylor said Tuesday it is not his role to discourage people from applying for a variance based on whether or not he thinks their application will be approved.

“I make recommendations to the board and they make the final decision. It would have been inappropriate for me to dissuade this applicant from perusing their case because I cannot speak for the board,” Taylor said.

Adkins took the setback in stride, saying, “When God shuts the door, he shuts it. When he opens it, he opens it.”