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Newburgh board tables special-use requests from Optimal Access after neighbors raise safety and signage concerns
Summary
The Town of Newburgh Board of Zoning Appeals delayed decisions on two related special-use requests from Optimal Access — to use a residential R-1 lot for school activities and to retain a large art installation that town staff says meets the definition of a sign — after extended public comment about traffic, privacy and whether the work is art or advertising.
The Town of Newburgh Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 25 deferred decisions on two requests from nonprofit Optimal Access tied to its Access Academy program after residents raised safety, privacy and signage concerns.
The applications under review were (1) a conditional-use request to allow school activities on an adjacent R-1 (residential) lot behind the academy building, and (2) a special-use permit to allow an above-ground art installation—bearing the organization’s name and a scannable QR code—on that same residential parcel. Town staff told the board the two applications are related and recommended hearing them together.
Dr. Dukes, the property owner who hosts the school building, told the board he was “very proud of what they’re doing,” and said he could not understand why the installation would offend neighbors. Casey DePries, identified in meeting materials as CEO of Optimal Access and head of Access Academy, told the board the project was funded with an Indiana Arts Commission grant and designed by students. "It was…
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