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Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a petition to allow a youth baseball and softball indoor training facility in an agricultural district just south of Warsaw.
During a board meeting Tuesday, Cedric Poage presented a petition for an exception to allow commercial recreation, specifically an indoor training area for baseball and softball players, on a property located on the south side of CR 200S, west of Ferguson Road. Poage said he wanted to fill a need in the community following the recent closure of Rock Sportsplex, formerly located on CR 450W.
"The intended use for this property is for a fielding and hitting training facility, primarily for youth softball athletes," said Poage. "The lack of an indoor resource, there's a gap and need for those kids. This is just my way of trying to enhance what's available to the kids in the community."
Poage told the board it'll be a private establishment, with all activity occurring indoors. He said he hopes to have the facility operational by January 2027.
Edith Rohrer, who lives nearby on Blue Spruce Court, expressed a concern with placing the building in an agricultural area and said she wasn't sure if that would be sustainable.
In response, Poage said the property will stay 90% agricultural on its east side.
The board approved Poage's request.
A petition to allow agricultural animals, specifically goats and chickens, in a residential district was also approved by the board. The animals are owned by Kelsey Honeycutt at 1147 N. Highland Place, Warsaw.
Honeycutt said she owns 15 chickens, three small goats and some turkeys, but that she plans to get rid of the turkeys. She also noted her proximity to Westhaven Estates and that children come by to feed and pet the animals daily. Honeycutt's spouse, Chris Friedle, and a neighbor, Phil Olson, both spoke in favor of Honeycutt's petition.
The board approved Honeycutt's request but noted they would revisit it again in January 2028, asking Honeycutt to scale down the number of animals she currently owns.
The BZA also approved the following petitions:
• An exception for Robert Hamilton to allow service work on vehicles and to allow up to 24 vehicles onsite at one time in a commercial district at 867 S. 325E, Warsaw. The exception was approved with conditions listed by staff members with county agencies.
• A variance for David Derry to allow a carport to remain as placed 16 feet from the road's right-of-way at 87 EMS B61 Lane, Warsaw.
• A variance for Linda Morris to permit the construction of a residence addition, specifically a second story and deck, 1.3 feet from the side property line at 3898 E. Forest Glen Ave., Leesburg. The petition was approved on the condition the deck be placed five feet from the side property line.
• An exception for Allen Robinson for the construction of an oversized accessory building at 2,960 square feet where maximum size allowed in a residential district by ordinance is 1,200 square feet. The building will be at 34 EMS C31 Lane, Warsaw.
• A variance for Seneca Martin for the construction of an inground swimming pool eight feet from the west property line at 11599 N. Venetian Way, Syracuse.
• A variance for Michael and Barbara Sinn that a deck be open and a gazebo remain at 18 feet from the water's edge at 66 EMS B6C Lane, Leesburg.
• An exception for Julie Byer to allow a residential accessory building to remain as placed on a tract with no principal structure in a residential district. The property is located on the south side of Smith Drive, west of Pine Road, Syracuse.
• A variance for William Rauh to allow a shed to remain as placed 10 feet and 4 inches from the road's right-of-way and three feet from the side property line at 10458 S. Bouse Drive, Silver Lake.
• A variance for Gregory Ness to allow the construction of a new residence 15 feet from the north and east water's edge, and 5 feet from the south sideline and unvacated portion of the right-of-way of South Kitson Lane at 332 E. South Kitson Lane, Syracuse.
• A variance for Adam and Kristine Finley to permit allowing a lot to be split that will be 23 feet wide on the lakefront when ordinance requires 50 feet. The property is located on the north side of Lakewood Avenue and northwest of Oak Street, Winona Lake.
• An exception and two variances for James Silveus for property at 596 E. Lakewood Ave., Winona Lake. The exception and variances will allow for the construction of a 1,200 square foot oversized accessory building, a new residence, and detached garage.
• The board also heard a petition for an appeal on a decision for a property owned by Lisa Roberts, 56 EMS C27C1 Lane, Warsaw, in regard to the placement of an air conditioning unit. Local attorney Steve Snyder said he was presenting the petition solely for the board to determine if there had or hadn't been a change in circumstances for the denied variance to be refiled. The board determined a change hadn't occurred.
The board's next meeting is at 9 a.m. Oct. 13 in the Kosciusko County Justice Building.
