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Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals denied the petition for an exception for fiber optic hubs during their Tuesday, June 9 meeting.
Gina Dalton, from Telamon, spoke to the board about the petition for an exception of allowing the construction and placement of two in-line area shelters for fiber optic hubs on an agricultural tract of ground, located on the south side of CR 400S and west of CR 400E in Monroe Township.
“High capacity fiber networks are critical for residential, commercial, governmental, health care and emergency services by improving network performances and redundancy,” stated Dalton.
She noted that these stations are unmanned except for the occasional maintenance that was needed. She also noted that they did not need water, sewage or any other facility that other stations would need.
Board member Dan Richard noted that in the plan, there is no screening, which Dalton noted that they will propose a chain link fence, but are willing to follow the board’s guidelines. BZA Hearing Officer Randy Cox asked how much of an area it will take up, and Dalton responded it will be 150 feet by 150 feet.
Richard asked why Telamon did not pick an area that would not fall onto field land, but instead in an existing commercial site where residents will not be affected. Dalton responded that she was not on the committee that found the site, but would look into why.
Board Vice Chairman John Beer asked what the voltage and amps would be on these units, to which Dalton answered it would be an 800 amp three-phase, with 120/208 voltage.
Teena Pence, a resident who lives just north of the proposed location, told the board that “those big, fenced in monstrosities aren’t sheds.” She also brought up her concerns about it being in the area and deterring all the birds that tend to migrate to the property. Pence told the board that she has personal health issues which could be exacerbated by the ILA sheds being in the area.
Brent Faudree, a resident to the east of the proposed location, told the board that this is a “nightmare” and explained to the board that he understands these machines because he worked as an electrician.
“What keeps them from building a tower or other buildings later on?” asked Faudree. “I’m retired … and will be spending more time at home in my Garden of Eden.”
Miguel De Loa Padilla and Fecitas Gonzalez, owners of a tract of land behind Pence, noted that they are trying to build a homestead after both growing up in big cities. Gonzalez noted that this was their dream to live on a quiet piece of land. Gonzalez noted that they will look at moving that dream to another location if this is approved.
Richard noted that two “32-foot buildings are too big,” and felt bad because the company didn’t do their due diligence with the impact this would create on the people around it. He noted that there has to be a better location for this. It was denied by the board.
Timothy Berger petitioned the board for an exception allowing a 22×42 residential accessory building, and a variance to permit the construction be 2 feet, 2 inches from the right-of-way, and 10 feet from the north side property line. This property is at 11219 N. East Wawasee Drive, Syracuse.
Berger stated that he wanted to increase the size of his garage, because his garage has flooded, and wanted to move it up so it could prevent some of it. Berger had spoken to Steve Moriarty, Kosciusko County Highway Department superintendent, to see if there was anything to prevent the flooding, but Moriarty said Berger “was basically stuck.”
Sandy asked if there was any way to move it off of the right-of-way, to which Berger answered that his property is not big enough. Richard noted his concern was the visibility coming off of the s-curve.
The board approved a motion for the construction to be 5 feet from the right-of-way and 10 feet from the property line.
The board also:
• Approved a variance to permit an existing carport addition to remain 2 feet off the right-of-way of the road. The property is at 1318 W. Sycamore Road, Warsaw.
• Approved a variance to permit exhaust fans to remain as placed without hearing or permits 27 feet from the right-of-way of the road. This property is at 9231 W. 450N, Etna Green.
• Approved a variance to permit a 10×12 foot shed to remain 6 inches from the north and east property lines. The property is at 28 EMS D16A Lane, Syracuse.
• Approved a variance to permit the addition to an existing accessory building adding living quarters on a tract with an existing residence. The property is at 8799 N. Syracuse-Webster Road, Syracuse.
• Continued a variance which would permit the reconstruction of a garage from the north property line. This property is at 6725 N. Kalorama Road, Leesburg.
• Approved an exception for the purpose of the change and alteration of a granted variance, and allowing the construction of an addition on the accessory building in an agricultural district. This property is at 7186 E. 650S, in Monroe Township.
• Approved an exception to allow an animal rescue in a residential district. The property is at 13491 N. Warner Road, Syracuse.
• Approved an exception to allow warehouse storage in an agricultural district. This property is north of CR 1350N, and northwest of CR 300W in Jefferson Township.
• Approved a variance to allow a garage to remain 9 feet from the rear property line. This property is at 31 EMS B49 Lane, Warsaw.
