Request for church denied

A request by Alfredo Sanchez to establish a church in an industrial zone was denied Monday by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals.

The Inglesia Besteda congregation has been pursuing a site to accommodate their needs, according to Rich Marrufo. The location they chose was the old FOP building in Boggs Industrial Park.

Meetings, Marrufo said, would take place on Sundays and throughout the week. He said it would be a permanent location.

Churches are not allowed in an industrial zone.

Also, three other businesses in the area, all within 500 feet, hold liquor licenses - the Eagles, the VFW and J.D.'s Roadhouse. Liquor licenses are not issued to establishments within 500 feet of a church or school.

Currently the 39-member congregation meets in the First Assembly Church of God, on the corner of Ind. 15 and Fisher Street, and has to schedule all events through that church.

Dave Avery appeared before the board to remonstrate against the petition.

Avery, part owner of J.D.'s Roadhouse, also presented a 100-signature petition against the church's relocation.

He said he hoped God did not strike him down for petitioning against a church, but he feared there would be a long-term impact on his business, specifically citing his ability to transfer the liquor license.

"The noise disruptions and ability to expand or improve my business would be interfered with," he said. "We serve liquor and offer adult entertainment."

BZA member Richard Keeven said he could imagine potential conflicts at a later date.

Member Dan Hampton said allowing a church in an industrial zone went against the comprehensive plan.

"I sympathize with the church," he said. "This would be an extreme, extreme exception."

Marrufo said they were aware of the consequences.

Woodward said churches are allowed in just about every other zone and probably have the most leeway of any organization.

The board voted unanimously to deny the petition.

In other business, the board:

• Approved a petition for a variance from development standards for an 8-foot rear yard setback for an attached carport as requested by Brian Elliott, 937 Country Club Lane.

• Approved, in a 3-to-2 vote, with Alan Clingan, Tom Heuer and Dan Hampton voting for and Bruce Woodward and Richard Keeven voting against, a 16-square-foot sign for Fat Boy's Pizza. Regulations call for an 8-foot-square sign in the C-4 commercial district.

The business, at 215 E. Center St., is new to the downtown area, having relocated from Lake Street.

The sign will be affixed to the facade of the building and illuminated.

Woodward commented he wanted to continue to stand firm with the sign regulations.

City council representative Trish Brown asked why.

"You didn't stand firm with the high school sign and several others," she said. "The only time you want to stand firm is in the downtown district," she said.

• Approved a request by John and Maria Tucker, 1542 Country Club Drive East, for a 14-foot, 6-inch rear yard set back, a variance from the 25- foot requirement.

• Approved a second illuminated free-standing sign on the eastern side of the property at 101 Argonne Road, in a vote of 4 to 1, with Tom Heuer voting against.

The 8-square-foot sign will serve as a directional sign to the Citizens Trust Mortgage Corp., which will share office space with Coldwell Banker offices.

Board of Zoning Appeals members are Bruce Woodward, Dan Hampton, Tom Heuer, Richard Keeven and Alan Clingan.

The next meeting is May 13 at 6 p.m., moved up two weeks due to the Memorial Day weekend.