Crossroads Church granted variance from County Drainage Board for new construction project

The Marshall County Drainage Board granted Crossroads Church on Oak Drive in Plymouth a variance on the Schuh Ditch for their building addition.

County Surveyor Craig Cultice told the board that in 2003, the church was granted a variance from the Drainage Board of 30 feet from the top of the ditch bank for the installation of security lights on poles.  At that time, the parking lot was gravel, but when he reviewed the site for this request, he found a driveway and paved parking lot that lies within the county’s 75-foot setback.  At the closest point, the asphalt parking lot is 18 feet from the ditch bank.

The variance request presented on Monday pertained to the proposed addition to the north end of the church.  The corner of the new construction will sit 8 feet in the county’s setback, and thus, there was a need for a variance.

During the discussion with Senior Pastor Scott Yoder from Crossroads Church, the Drainage Board clarified that the parking lot surface is within their right-of-way. If the asphalt is damaged during a county maintenance project on the ditch, the church will be responsible for repairs to the parking lot and not the county.

Drainage Board member Stan Klotz motioned to grant the variance at 67 feet for the construction of the addition to the church and requested a written understanding with Crossroads Church that if there is damage to their parking lot, the church will bear all costs.  The motion was unanimously passed.