Kosciusko County Board of Appeals grants several exceptions, approves industrial expansion

The Kosciusko County Board of Appeals met Feb. 10 and approved multiple variances and exceptions, including an exception for multifamily use in a commercial district, a large industrial building expansion, and several accessory‑structure requests.

At the start of the meeting the board approved minutes from the last session. The most consequential land‑use votes came later in the agenda: the board granted exception 20‑26‑7 for James Anderson to allow multifamily use as presented, with conditions requiring compliance with on‑site plans, shoreline rules and a sign‑off from Fire Chief Jeremy Likens. The board also granted a variance and conditions for a restaurant parking plan tied to Stark Ventures and related site changes, noting commitments on parking delineation and circulation.

A major industrial expansion for PWI (exception 20‑26‑14) was approved after discussion of traffic and neighbor remonstrances. Ryan Miller, representing PWI, said the company has grown rapidly and recently purchased adjoining acreage to provide a new driveway to 1050 North; the board approved the phase‑3 building addition by voice vote and the transcript records a 3–1 tally.

Other actions included approval of a conditioned variance for a 10-by-12 shed (Portwood Wilson) on the provision the structure be set back 9.3 feet from the right of way; approval of a home‑based business exception for Aaron Miller; and approval of a lakeside outdoor kitchen variance with the board concluding the amenity would not materially harm adjacent sightlines.

The board also heard technical and legal arguments in a continued case involving a prior requirement for live screening (Darryl Everly). Counsel cited a court case and state statute that limit live‑screen plantings to 5 feet, and argued that requiring higher live plantings would be illegal; the board debated enforceability and ownership of the adjacent strip of land, and a motion was made on the petition.

Where residents appeared, the board recorded concerns. Randy Lay, president of the Tippy Mobile Home Park homeowners group, urged the board not to open T‑17 as an exit for the proposed restaurant and expressed safety concerns for children and emergency access. Developers and counsel said T‑17 is a public right of way and that signage, one‑way circulation and employee parking management would reduce risk; they also committed to working with the fire chief on dry‑hydrant/pump options.

The board concluded several items of business, adjusted compliance timing guidance in discussion, made a minor operator change for an in‑home business license, and adjourned.