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Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a Warsaw business's relocation during a meeting on Tuesday.
Lake City Power Sports petitioned for an exception for the purpose of allowing the change and alteration of a property from auto sales to motorcycle sales, service and repair. The petition also included a request for allowing the construction of a 200- by 300-foot building in an Industrial-2 district.
Ryan Campbell, representing Lake City Power Sports, said they're wanting to relocate Lake City Honda, 3426 E. U.S. 30, Warsaw, to the former Lake City Automotive location, which is about a half mile east at 3992 E. U.S. 30.
"We would like to relocate that business, take down the old, dilapidated sales building, and then east of that, closer to where the fence line was, erect a new power sports building that would serve to sell vehicles and service them," said Campbell.
Area Plan Director Matt Sandy asked if there would be outside storage or display of any vehicles.
"During the day, we'll have some display, but all vehicles will remain inside," said Campbell. "And there is a fenced-in area behind the existing maintenance building. Any outside storage would be within that fence line."
Campbell also noted there is an existing powersports track on the property that will be removed and not used by the business.
Kevin Frantz, who lives near the property, attended the meeting in opposition of the petition. He expressed concerns with the track and wanted to ensure it would not be utilized by the business. Campbell reiterated that it would not.
In other business, the BZA denied a petition for a variance permitting residence additions to remain 27.7 feet from the water's edge and 9.3 feet from the side property line. This is for property owned by Rosemary Orr at 80 EMS T17A Lane, Leesburg, south of Lake Tippecanoe.
Dane Carpenter, a longtime friend of Orr's who completed the work at the residence, attended the meeting.
Sandy told the board Orr's contractor received a permit for a 14-by-13-1/2-foot addition to the structure in 2023.
"For one reason or another, they went forward and did more than what the permit covered," said Sandy.
"We should've come back and we apologize," said Carpenter. "We're definitely in the wrong by overextending our permit."
"Looking back, I would say one property owner, their view is diminished," said BZA member Dan Richard. "I think that's a whole basis behind what our ordinance is about, protecting property values and other people there. Thank you for apologizing, but you can't go on and do it without a permit and then expect to pay a fine and move on. I think this is more than that."
"The difficulty this also presents to us on an ongoing basis, doing what you want and seeking forgiveness, unfortunately occurs from time to time," said BZA Chairman Lee Harman.
The board moved to deny the petition in a 3-2 vote, with Board Vice President John Beer and Hearing Officer Randy Cox voting in favor of the petition.
The BZA's next meeting is at 9 a.m. Feb. 10 in the Kosciusko County Justice Building.
