PORTER COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER July 13, 2017 MEETING MINUTES LOCATION: County Administrative Center, Ste 205 TIME: 1:00 p.m. 155 Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso IN MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Rick Burns, Hearing Officer Kristy Marasco, Assistant Director Monica Gee CORRESPONDENCE: None OLD BUSINESS: Case: UV-17-0052 Applicant: Roe and Norma Phelps Location: 426 North 400 East, Valparaiso IN Washington Township Request: Extension of a Use Variance to allow a mobile home on the property to be used for a friend, Mr. Ashby, who is in need of living assistance Mr. Phelps presented. There are no changes from last time. Mr. Ashby still needs help. The steps are not attached to the building but are secure. Motion: Rick Burns moved to approve Case UV-17-0052 for one year with the same conditions. No rent. When Mr. Ashby no longer lives in the trailer it will be removed. Case: UV-17-0023 Applicant: Daniel Sr. and Maria Sisco Location: 2702 Kellee Court, Valparaiso, Center Township Zoning: R1, Low Density Single-family Residential District Request: Case continued from the April 13, 2017 meeting. Seeking a Development Standards Variance to allow a reduction in the current side yard setback from the required 15 feet to 2 feet, for a proposed second level (8 X 10 ) sunroom addition. Dan Sisco and Maria Sisco presented. Discussion: The property has been cleaned up. The fence is on the property line. The sun room is going to be 8 X 10 so they need 8. This would be 5 from the property line. Page 1 of 5
Motion: Rick Burns moved to approved Case UV-17-0023 with the understanding that it is going to be an 8 X 10 sunroom and will be approximately 5 from the southeast corner side yard property line. NEW BUSINESS Case: DV-17-0050 Applicant: Dan Hetrick Location: 954 South 150 West, Kouts, Pleasant Township Zoning: A1, General Agriculture District Request: Seeking a Development Standards Variance to allow a reduction in minimum front yard setbacks for two (2) existing structures, for a proposed Administrative Subdivision: A barn from the required 50 feet to 49 feet, and Primary structure from the required 50 feet to 43 feet Bill Davies presented along with Dan Hetrick. In July 2016 Mr. Hetrick received variances. They are now splitting off a 5 acre parcel for a one lot administrative subdivision. There are two existing buildings on this property. Both are over the existing building line. The porch needs to be counted in determining how far over the building line. Discussion: The barn is 1.5 over the building line. The house with the porch is approximately 15 over. Motion: Rick Burns moved to approve Case DV-17-0050 with the understanding an updated plat will be turned in to staff by the end of the day. Case: DV-17-0051 Applicant: Ralph and Susan Droz Location: 1130 South 500 East, Kouts, Pleasant Township Zoning: A1, General Agriculture District yard setback from the required 30 feet to 10 feet, to replace an accessory structure (that burnt down) on the original slab. Susan Droz presented. Dan Consentias of Morton Builders was also present. They lost a building to fire. They want to use the existing slab. There is a pool that keeps them from moving this any closer to the house. Page 2 of 5
Discussion: The new building will be under the height requirement. No business will be run out of the building. Motion: Rick Burns moved to approve Case DV-17-0051 with the understanding that it be used for personal use only. Case: DV-17-0053 Applicant: Francel Balon Trust, c/o Theresa Spratley Trustee Location: 646 North 500 East, Valparaiso, Jackson Township Request: Seeking a Development Standards Variance for a proposed Minor Subdivision to vary for the following: Maximum width to depth ratio 1:4 on Lots 2 and 3 Minimum Lot width reduction from 240 feet to 190.75 feet, on Lot 3 Allow an existing accessory structure on a lot without a primary structure Don Bengel presented. These are being requested to settle the estate. Discussion: Rick Burns stated he understands a home is going to be built. Motion: Rick Burns moved to approve DV-17-0053 contingent on approval by DRC. Case: DV-17-0054 Applicant: Chad Boettcher Location: 373 East Augustine Drive, Valparaiso, Washington Township Request: Seeking a Development Standards Variance to allow a (748 square feet) detached garage to be placed in the front yard, on a corner lot parcel with three (3) front yards. Chad Boettcher presented. He has 1.3 acres with no accessory structures. He is limited by the three front yard situation. There are 8 lots in the subdivision that have detached garages. Discussion: The garage is so far from the house because of a concrete sidewalk and the slope. The garage will not be in front of the house. There will not be a business in the garage. The pitch will match the house and will be within the height requirements. Page 3 of 5
Motion: Rick Burns moved to approve Case DV-17-0054 with the understanding that it is to be used for personal use. Any business running out of the building and it will be removed. The plans will show that the building is 20 feet from the house. Case: DV-17-0055 Applicant: Melissa Hylek Location: 532 West 250 South, Hebron, Porter Township yard setback from the required 30 feet to 22 feet, for a proposed attached sun room on a legal nonconforming structure. Melissa Hylek presented. She wants to add a sun room to her home. Discussion: Nothing is staked on the property in regard to this request. Motion: Rick Burns moved to continue Case DV-17-0055 to the next meeting. Project needs to be staked out and Rick Burns will inspect the placement etc. Case: DV-17-0056 Applicant: TAZ Properties, LLC Location: 392 East US Highway 30, Valparaiso, Washington Township Zoning: I1, Light Industrial District Request: Seeking a Development Standards Variance to allow additional storage buildings vary for the following: Allow 69% impervious surface coverage Allow the temporary use of gravel in lieu of asphalt or other paved surface Allow the installation of chain link fence with barb wire TAZ is planning to build three 10 storage buildings. Public Hearing: George Smith is curious what type of business it is going to be and if they are going to do any refurbishing to the railroad crossing. Seeing no one else wishing to speak; Rick Burns declared the Public Hearing closed. Page 4 of 5
Discussion: the building is going to be a storage facility like is there now. They have no authority to put stop signs up for a railroad. They were before DRC yesterday. They discussed the barb wire and there are some drainage issues to discuss with Mike Novotney. There are no plans to ever pave the drive areas. Motion: Rick Burns moved to approve DV-17-0056 with the understanding that issues with DRC will be fixed, standard barb wire with the chain link fence, and the gravel drive will be permanent. Case: DV-17-0057 Applicant: Ariel and Amy Rivera Location: 432 Woodstock Court, Valparaiso, Jackson Township yard setback from the required 15 feet to 11 feet and for an increase in the maximum height allowed at 20 feet to 25 feet, for a proposed detached accessory structure. Ariel Rivera presented. Scott Sutton was also present. He is proposing to build a detached garage. He wants it to begin right after utility red flags. Discussion: They are requesting the height for storage. There will be a dormer on front to match the house. They are requesting 11 instead of 15 Motion: Rick Burns moved to approve DV-17-0057. The accessory structure will be used for personal use only. Update the plan and turn it in to staff by tomorrow. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m. Rick Burns, Hearing Officer Kristy Marasco, Assistant Director Page 5 of 5