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Angola BZA approves Farmer State Bank generator setback variance with requirement for protective bollards
Summary
The Board approved a side-yard setback variance to allow Farmers State Bank to place a natural-gas–fueled emergency generator near an existing meter at 1800 North Wayne Street, requiring bollards for safety; staff said the generator helps maintain ATM/bank services during outages and will provide permitting instructions.
The Angola City Board of Zoning Appeals on Oct. 27 approved a side-yard setback variance to allow Farmers State Bank to install an emergency generator at 1800 North Wayne Street, with a condition that protective bollards be installed.
Planning staff said the bank plans a natural-gas–fueled generator to be located near the existing service meter at the bank. "In the event of an extended power outage, maintaining their network and services is vital to the bank, and the community will benefit greatly from being able to access their funds at Farmer State Bank ATM," Grace Estesman said during the staff report. Staff also said legal notice was published Oct. 17 and mailed Oct. 16 to nine property owners within 300 feet.
Adam Bressler of Clear Lake Electric, representing the bank, described the proposed generator and pad design and gave approximate dimensions: "The generator is gonna be about 6 foot tall" and roughly 10 feet long by 3.5 feet wide, with a concrete pad slightly larger than the base. Bressler told the board the generator was sited adjacent to the existing transformer to minimize electrical and gas rework.
Board members raised concerns about vehicle traffic and the proximity of the gas service and transformer and suggested the installation of bollards for protection. The bank representative and the contractor said they would consider bollards; the board made installation of bollards a condition of its approval. Staff said earlier negotiations with NIPSCO reduced initial utility costs, enabling the natural-gas solution rather than an above-ground propane tank.
The board approved the variance with the bollard condition; staff will send a final determination letter explaining permitting and inspection steps.
No public comments were recorded on the generator application.
