Even before officially starting the meeting Monday night, members of the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals said the lone petition before them was a “no brainer.”
Charles “Tom” Diecks petitioned for a use variance to allow a church at the former Baker Youth Club, 765 W. Market St. The club moved to the former YMCA location on Smith Street.
The hearing on it was conducted in about 2-1/2 minutes and the request was unanimously approved.
The existing zoning for 765 W. Market St. is Industrial 2, but it is surrounded by various residential, commercial and industrial zones.
Assistant Planner Tim Dombrosky told the board, “One thing that I would like to point out here is that it’s in industrial zoning – for one reason or another it became industrial. There is some Zimmer property around there, which is probably the reason why. But if it were a residential zoned property, requesting a church use, it would be special exception. Not a use variance. So more lenient. And the requirements for a church special exception in a residential area are that … the parking lot is behind the building and the building is not taller than the setback.”
Board member Rick Keeven asked jokingly if that requirement was written in the 1800s.
Dombrosky pointed out the building before the BZA met the special exception requirements, so the church is an “ideal use for a vacant industrial property in the neighborhood.”
Diecks was present at the meeting, but not required to say anything. Before the meeting, he told board members that his church was trying to buy the building and the congregation was already meeting there. Signs are already up.
“It’s perfect for us,” he said.
Board member Tammy Dalton made the motion to approve the petition, and Jack Wilhite provided the second.
(Story By The Times Union)
