Remonstrators and developers will have to wait at least a few weeks to hear the county's verdicts on a requested exception, variance and road vacation to make way for a new condominium complex near Lake Wawasee.The petitioner for the changes is LSBD LLC According to Kosciusko County Assistant Planner Matt Sandy, the company wants to build condominiums at 11697 N. Treasure Island Road, on the east side of East Wawasee Drive, just north of Tiny Tim Lane. Sandy said the proposed complex will hold 51 single-family units in two main buildings.
Tuesday, a hearing before the Kosciusko County Commissioners on a request to vacate Treasure Island Road, just east of the proposed site for the complex, was postponed. Sandy told several area residents gathered to speak against the project and LSBD representative, attorney Steve Snyder, public advertisement had been published in only one local newspaper. State law requires the hearing to be advertised in two papers.
Sandy said another hearing will be scheduled after the petitioner completes the notification process again, possibly at the June 26 commissioners' meeting.
"Those concerned will be renotified," Sandy said.
The Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals tabled a decision Tuesday on an exception to allow LSBD to build a multi-family residence on the proposed site, which is zoned for commercial use; and variances to allow the company to include only three parking spaces for each condominium instead of the required four; to build an open pavilion 20 feet from a channel into Lake Wawasee; and to allow the condominium units to be built 48 feet high instead of 40 feet mandated by county ordinance.
At the hearing, Snyder said LSBD wants Treasure Island Road vacated so walkways can be built from the condos to two channels on the property, on the east side of the road. Snyder also said vacating the road will make way for landscaped areas.
Several property owners in the area around the proposed site for the condos spoke out against the project at the hearing.
Cathy Lemberg, of 9337 E. Natti Crow Road, Syracuse, owns property just west of the site. Lemberg said she is concerned that increased boat traffic from the complex would affect the lake.
"Our little cove is not that big," Lemberg said. "How many boats can we fit? I think we need to look at the bigger picture."
Ronald Sims, of 11862 N. Hansel and Gretel Lane, Cromwell, a member of the community association of nearby Enchanted Hills neighborhood, said closing Treasure Island Road could impact safety in the area.
"It could make it slower for emergency vehicles to get into the area," Sims said.
Sims asked the BZA to table a decision on LSBD's requests.
"There are a lot of questions we'd like to have answered," Sims said.
The BZA voted to continue the hearing to July 10 at 8:30 a.m.
