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Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a petition for building expansion at PWI during a board meeting on Tuesday.
The petition for PWI, 7930 W. 1000N, Nappanee, was for an exception to allow the change and alteration to previously granted exceptions by allowing a 220-foot by 300-foot building expansion. The exception also requested the addition of a new drive extending to CR 1050N. PWI is in an agricultural district.
PWI CEO Ryan Miller attended the meeting, stating the expansion was the third phase of what his company initially proposed in 2020. The business started as home-based, with the company "partnering with manufacturers to deliver innovative solutions that address complex material handling challenges," according to PWI's website.
"Welding repair is what we've done for the last almost 50 years," said Miller. "In the last decade or 15 years, it's really changed a lot. We work a lot with the RV industry and are at almost 200 employees. We serve customers around the country ... we're manufacturers who serve manufacturers."
Miller said he's in close contact with property neighbors, working with residents to create privacy mounds at PWI.
"The goal is to keep our stuff inside and looking nice, to keep it nice for the neighbors," said Miller.
Area Plan Commission Director Matt Sandy said his department received two letters of remonstrance against the expansion from neighbors, with one concern regarding traffic on CR 1050N. Another neighbor, Elmer Miller, attended the meeting in remonstrance, stating he was also concerned about traffic on CR 1050N as well. He emphasized that he wasn't totally against Ryan's petition but noted an Amish school in the area and the reflection of the business's lights into one of his neighbor's bedrooms.
"They're a great company and do great work," Elmer said.
BZA Chairman Lee Harman said PWI initially started as a home-based business but grew into what it is today.
"Pretty much all we can do is learn from this experience going forward as we deal with other home-based businesses," said Harman.
"And I appreciate that," Elmer said.
Ryan said he would read the letters of remonstrance from neighbors and stated he wanted to make himself available to Elmer to speak about his concerns.
"That's who we are," said Ryan. "We're workable neighbors."
The petition was approved in a 3-1 vote, with BZA Member Dan Richard voting in opposition.
In other business, the BZA denied a petition from Daryl Eberly for an exception for the purpose of allowing a 6-foot screening fence instead of the required live screening in a commercial district. The property is at 8705 E. US 30, Pierceton.
"Back in 2024, we did have a hearing before the hearing officer, and at that time, (Hearing Officer Randy Cox) did approve it with the condition that live screening was installed," said Sandy. "It got to the point that we were checking on it, it didn't get installed, and this triggered the hearing."
Local attorney Steve Snyder, on behalf of Eberly, said he was in disagreement with BZA attorney Adam Turner on his interpretation of state code regarding live screening.
"We're good on that," said Sandy. "If we need to require live screening, we can. We're within our rights to require that as screening."
