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Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a new Warsaw apartment complex Tuesday, as long as its developer addresses some complaints brought by neighbors.
It also denied a request for a 50-foot easement at Palestine after approximately 15 people came to the meeting in opposition.
Regarding the former, the BZA heard a request from Superior Developing to allow multi-family dwellings in a residential district. The 4.22-acre property in question is by Orchard Ridge Apartments, 75 N. Orchard Drive, Warsaw, on the north side of Old U.S. 30 East and near Gettysburg Court.
Kosciusko County Area Plan Director Matt Sandy noted the situation was "unique" in that the land actually was under the county's jurisdiction and not the city’s.
"The city has annexed all the way close around this thing," he said.
Sandy noted "the city was in favor of this project" though.
Christine Deutscher, with Neighborhood Development Associates, spoke on behalf of Superior Developing on the low-income housing project.
She said there would be 40-units in "townhome-style."
As for the timeline, she said Superior Developing was applying for funding for the complex at the end of the month, with the hope to receive it by the end of the year. Construction should start in 2026, with plans to have the complex finished in 2027 and leased out by 2028.
Sandy noted Warsaw might have to connect sewer for the project, to which Deutscher said the company had communicated with the city "about sewer and water."
The complex would have five buildings, with one-, two- and three-bedroom units, she said.
Deutscher said the complex would be called Hope's Landing and go along with the county's Forward Kosciusko County comprehensive plan.
Several neighbors spoke in opposition regarding concerns about wildlife in a wetland in the area being impacted, as well as traffic, drugs coming in due the complex being low-income, bright lights and their property values being affected.
The board initially wanted to continue the request to allow "the petitioners to get a more detailed response about all these different concerns," as Board Chairman Lee Harman phrased it.
However, as Deutscher noted, the developer had until the end of the month to apply for funding and needed to know whether the project was approved or not.
Thus, the board approved the complex "with conditions that the issues that have been raised by the remonstrators are sufficiently addressed and that includes and (is) not limited to barriers or screening, lighting, traffic issues, any fencing issues (and) stormwater issues."
The board also considered a variance request from 2 Mills Timber LLC to allow several tracts of ground to be accessed by a 50-foot easement when ordinance requires 50 feet of frontage abutting a public or private road.
The land is on the northeast side of Scott Road and 41 feet northeast of Turner Road in Seward Township by Palestine Lake.
No one from 2 Mills Timber was present at the meeting. The board did allow those in opposition to share their concerns anyway.
Neighbors said they didn't like that the tracts could be used for a housing development and there could be increased traffic in the area.
The board unanimously denied the request.
In other business, the board:
• Approved two petitions for Christopher Singrey's property at 4309 W. 1050N, Milford. He asked for an exception to have a home-based business, Singrey Trucking, in an agricultural district and build an accessory building 12 feet from the east, north and south property lines.
• Approved a variance request from Linda Kramer to put a new lot line 6.2 feet from a structure on the east and 6.1 feet from a structure on the west of the new line. Her property is at 109 N. Harrison St., Leesburg.
• Approved a variance request from John Weigand to allow an existing residence at 6458 E. Waco Drive, Syracuse, to be as constructed 45 inches from the west side line and 51 inches from the east sideline, with a new residence addition 30 feet from the water's edge, measured from a second-story balcony, and another residence addition, second story over an existing single story, 51 inches from the east sideline and 45 inches from the west sideline.
• Required that Anthony Klepinger get an after-the-fact permit for a lean-to he has at 7927 E. 800S, South Whitley, and move a shed there that's currently on the property line to a place that meets minimum setbacks.
• Approved a variance request from Russell Williams to reconstruct an existing residence 1 foot, 3 inches from the west side property line and 22 feet, 1 inch from the road right-of-way as long as the foundation isn't changed. If it is, Williams has to meet 5 foot setbacks. He also needs to remove a shed. His property is at 140 EMS W23 Lane, North Webster.
• Approved a variance request from Tanner Moyer allowing two ponds to be as placed, at closest 30 feet to adjacent agricultural when ordinance requires 200 feet without hearing or permits, at 7917 E. 900S, South Whitley. Moyer must get any affected property owners' signatures and required permitting.
• Approved a variance request from Neal and Sonya Rifkin to build a new residence at 11235 N. Cedar Point Low Road, Syracuse. The couple agreed to have it be 20 feet, 4 inches from the road right-of-way, a compromise from the original request of a little more than 15 feet.
• Approved a variance request from Michael and Melanie Easter to build an accessory building 25 feet from the right-of-way of Ind. 15 at 775 W. Monoquet Road, Warsaw.
• Denied a variance request from Michael Klarke, who wanted the first floor of his home to remain at a lower elevation than allowed and his garage to be modified to meet an elevation not meeting standards. His property is at 7565 W. Beachwood Ave., Warsaw.
• Approved a variance request from Mike Baur to allow a residential addition 3 feet from the north and south property lines and 23 feet from the water's edge at 8665 E. Wesley Lane, North Webster.
The board's next meeting is 9 a.m. Aug. 12 in the basement of the Kosciusko County Justice Building.
