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The Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals Monday approved two signs for the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter and Lowe's store.
The three-panel signs each will be 450 square feet total with 150 square feet maximum per panel.
The petitioner, CEI Engineering, requested a variance for a 500-square-foot freestanding sign for both Wal-Mart and Lowe's.
Another option discussed was to have 375-square-foot signs with 125 square feet per panel. But department manager of CEI, Christopher Rogers, said with that option, "Lowe's would be happy, but Wal-Mart would not."
In other business:
• City planner Jeff Noffsinger introduced his new secretary, Debbie Wentzel, who attended the meeting.
• Glynn Johnson requested a use variance for professional audio retail at 102 Argonne Road in a residential zoning district.
An adjacent property owner remonstrated.
Sue Rosbrugh, Argonne Road, represented her mother, Genevieve Clouse, in speaking against this request. Clouse lives next to Johnson's property.
Rosbrugh's concerns included her mother's property value; noise pollution; increased traffic, especially semis and delivery trucks; and the chance of the business being unsuccessful.
"I think it's an unsafe variance," said board member Bruce Woodward.
The other board members agreed and the variance was denied.
• Kim Hart requested a variance for agricultural use at 1000 Country Club Road.
Hart represented the seller, Miles Igo. Igo is selling the property to Loretta Reeder.
The property is approximately 24 acres and Reeder asked to be allowed to have up to 10 animals for 4-H on the property.
Reeder assured the board the animals would be kept in the back of the property where they wouldn't be seen or smelled. Reeder said she is planning on having only three to four horses and maybe two cows for now.
Board member Dan Hampton suggested limiting the animals to only horses and cows.
The board finally approved the variance under the condition that Reeder can have no more than 10 animals. They can be all horses but no more than two cows at a time.
Reeder was satisfied. "I'd rather have more horses than cattle," she said.
BZA members are: Alan Clingan, Bruce Woodward, Leigh Ann Denlinger, Trish Brown and Richard Keeven.
