Board approves side-yard setback variance for Farmer State Bank generator with bollards condition

The Angola Board of Zoning Appeals on Oct. 27 approved a side-yard setback variance allowing Farmer State Bank to place an emergency generator approximately 10 feet long by 3.5 feet wide and about 6 feet tall on a concrete pad at 1800 North Wayne Street, reducing the side-yard setback from the C-1 minimum of 20 feet to 12 feet.

Planning staff said NIPSCO requested the generator be located near the existing meter to minimize gas connection and electrical rework. Grace Estman told the board the generator would sit in line with an existing power box and landscape elements and described the installation as important for maintaining bank services and community access to ATMs during extended outages. Notices were published Oct. 17 and nine property owners within 300 feet were notified; staff reported no public input.

Adam Bressler of Clear Lake Electric, representing the bank, said the chosen pad location minimizes electrical and gas work because it is adjacent to the service entrance and existing transformer. A bank representative indicated the bank would consider installing protective bollards. Board members questioned the need for bollards; one member moved to approve the variance with the condition that bollards be installed for safety. The motion carried by voice vote; no roll-call vote names were recorded in the transcript.

Staff said it will send a final determination letter and directions for permit submittal. Estman also said she will verify whether the city has a specific bollard standard and will note the condition in the permit instructions.