BZA OKs variances for Doc’s Inn sign, Water Works Hill

Without a single discouraging word heard, the Greencastle Board of Zoning Appeals approved a pair of requests at its May meeting.

The board first approved a development standards variance for a free-standing, 16-square-foot sign for Doc’s Inn, a bed and breakfast owned by Dr. Steve and Janna Kissel in a 130-year-old Victorian home in the Central Business District at 126 E. Washington St.

Also approved was a development standards variance for petitioner Brian Kamplain for a reduction in rear- and side-yard setbacks in an Ag/Rural Dwelling District.

In the Kissel request, daughter Kaitlyn Kissel, who serves as chef and general manager for the business, told the BZA business has improved sixfold since they opened after remodeling the four-bedroom facility that can accommodate 12 visitors.

“It’s beautiful and we love it and we want to have a gorgeous sign for it,” Kaitlyn Kissel said.

The sign will be in the front yard, five feet from the property line and perpendicular to the building so that it can readily be seen by east and west travelers on Washington Street, especially in light of the major construction coming on that portion of U.S. 231 next year.

Kissel explained that the owners did not want to attach it to the building because it would not be visible there to those driving past. And they were concerned about attaching it to a pole that connected to the house because a couple weeks ago the side porch began to crumble and that is being repaired.

BZA substitute member John Phillips, filling in for Paul Champion, said he had driven by Doc’s Inn that day and pulled out of College Avenue.

“The sign’s not a problem, the wall is,” Phillips said, tongue firmly in cheek. “Can you move that wall?”

Of course, he was joking as the wall across the front of the property is a signature element of the historic property, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Board member Andrew Ranck made the motion to approve the sign, which passed unanimously with additional votes from Phillips, Jon Clark and Board Chairman Doug Wokoun.

In the Kamplain case, he was awarded variances to the rear and side yards at 1080 N. CR 50 West, property along the north side of Big Walnut Creek near the Snyder Creek Branch off the east side of Water Works Hill in the two-mile fringe area.

Kamplain, who was represented by local attorney Scott Bieniek, plans to raze a dilapidated existing home and rebuild within 10 feet of the property line.

Except for “squatters and crackheads,” as Kamplain characterized the intruders, the property has been vacant for 10 years.

City Planner Scott Zimmerman commended him for the clean-up he’s done and said neighbors had also conveyed such compliments.

The 1,580-square-foot house was “full of crap” when he bought it, Kamplain said, adding that he needed three 40-yard dumpsters to clean it out.

“Being the existing structure will be replaced with one that meets building and energy-efficiency codes,” Zimmerman noted, “leads the staff to recommend approval.”

Ranck made the motion to that regard which also drew approving votes from Phillips, Clark and Wokoun. A vacancy still exists for the fifth member of the BZA.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Greencastle Board of Zoning Appeals is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 6 at City Hall.