[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6458419,"mediaKeyId","5818070-6e35e3fc75cf2d8ab064f2ce50d12f1f","parentId",5818070,"title","Planning staff previews comprehensive Unified Development Ordinance update for Elkhart City","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",648000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5818070-6e35e3fc75cf2d8ab064f2ce50d12f1f&start=648&end=648","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5818070-6e35e3fc75cf2d8ab064f2ce50d12f1f/thumbnail_648000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458419/Elkhart-City/Elkhart-County/Indiana/Planning-staff-previews-comprehensive-Unified-Development-Ordinance-update-for-Elkhart-City","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458419-c1fcc9a26d5cbba7d7534ecfcd288e27/orig.mp4?Expires=1770404490&Signature=NrGAL7Q-2Mm23Kx9YlHtAZDKl1IYn77QVtTujZZBLEdoYUMPGUPgf-O3JGJdguclbK38DqlOlZ50Rb3VsEOVgg35aphKXenbr0~OloNUly8HbwXnrMuxTCDCL-uJvFhNhjV2T2zCGMYv-gnkqokYN4jKv~396aJN7QzTCmMvfVb~d8djh21OkwK~ZRChvjitMwPHkGWi2~D3CSRdZJNq9JZHKHt9~MvKJm5cJ4KJczexwV9B73TC2qVnmnyGgvgRJfsZdBkGdAAUrBIFAjsBUkW8QMgiOmGlkAAdQ0t0ZWQFCjpHF8iLxLVsrloClKTBjIBD3LE0rp5bcGkJ7a4GoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Elkhart City, IN","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","Planning staff presented an overview of a draft Unified Development Ordinance for the City of Elkhart at the Aug. 28 meeting, describing changes intended to consolidate zoning and subdivision rules, clarify standards, and introduce new building types and administrative processes.

The presenter said the UDO is intended to implement the city’s comprehensive plan and noted that the UDO combines multiple code sections (zoning, subdivision, historic preservation, floodplain) into one unified document. “The comprehensive plan serves as the policy foundation for the unified development ordinance,” planning staff said. “A UDO combines a series of different codes into one code so there's more consistency between regulations.”

Key changes described in the presentation included consolidating zoning districts (from 15 to 9), reorganizing regulations into four overarching sections (uses; building types and standards; overlay districts; development standards), adding clear rules of measurement, and introducing building typologies and graphic-rich guidance to reduce nonconformities and improve clarity for applicants. The draft also proposes a hearing officer process to allow an assigned staff person to hear minor variances and minor deviations, with the stated intent of speeding routine decisions.

Staff said the draft adds modernized parking standards with flexible credits and electric vehicle provisions, updates landscape and buffering standards (including perimeter tree planting adjustments and irrigation requirements for commercial projects over 1 acre), clarifies sign-area calculations and temporary-sign rules, and consolidates administrative procedures. The draft also includes options for cluster development, cottage courts, and other building types to enable a broader range of housing choices described in recent sub-area plans.

Planning staff described an early methodology using GIS analysis and box-plot comparisons to set dimensional standards chosen to minimize nonconforming lots (for example, changing a district lot-width standard from 75 feet to 60 feet reduced vacant-lot nonconformity from 21% to 10%, according to staff examples shown).

Staff said the draft is online at cityofelkhartudo.com (presenter spelled as provided at the hearing) and that the most recent draft is still fluid; staff expects to present the ordinance to the planning commission in October and to complete legal drafting and repeal of prior ordinances before formal adoption, likely before the end of the year if the schedule holds. Training for boards, staff, developers, and the public was promised as part of implementation.

Questions from members at the meeting touched on the historic/conservation district integration (staff said the local historic preservation body will move from a designated local historic district to a conservation district and that a few special commission meetings would be needed to finish related details) and on fence standards (staff said the UDO will align with state standards). Staff said the document will be periodically updated after adoption (semiannual or annual reviews) to correct items that reoccur in practice.

Staff emphasized the UDO’s user-focused design: a hyperlinked digital version, a robust table of contents, clear flowcharts for the development review steps, and graphics meant to make the code easier for applicants and staff to use. The presenter said the consolidated code is intended to produce a more predictable and understandable review process for property owners and developers.

Next steps

- Draft posted online; staff to continue revisions and legal drafting.
- Anticipated planning commission review in October; formal adoption expected after legal review and repeal of prior ordinances.
- Training sessions for boards, staff, developers, and the public to follow adoption.

The presentation was an informational item; no formal board action on the UDO was taken at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Zoning Appeals Special Meeting August 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff presented a draft Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) update that consolidates zoning and subdivision codes, reduces the number of districts, adds building-type standards, and proposes a hearing officer process; staff said the draft will be finalized later in the year and training for boards and staff will follow.","taxTitle","Elkhart City, Elkhart County, Indiana","taxId",5802,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6458424,"Board approves Elkhart Community Schools request to increase teenage-parent program capacity to 66 children",333,241000,574000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5818070-6e35e3fc75cf2d8ab064f2ce50d12f1f&start=241&end=574","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5818070-6e35e3fc75cf2d8ab064f2ce50d12f1f/thumbnail_241000.jpg","/articles/6458424/Elkhart-City/Elkhart-County/Indiana/Board-approves-Elkhart-Community-Schools-request-to-increase-teenage-parent-program-capacity-to-66-children","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458424-b134444be5f62419a752cc198add5514/orig.mp4?Expires=1770404490&Signature=R0EC3F6X2FZE~6Yzq6WqjB-yXsVkTFajah5NFRubTlx3NfVojkMy~Ijec48XYeLB~XQC4PdJFWhYCve~ntrMLvnqmXT03BAUUz0sN5wo2LZs-UOrO-hLPCK8Duit~WNCvbL1A5QREgYlJuKeewugIY21ORXc-IUWzmF7UQsDWKHIX8UBQ6nhJisk12f13dGAcpUkCWinypYUjhrUSiE6B~r9CG8XrGJ6Huwwurn~EM8jWyMGtuQYbpVrGTANkGhEv7w9ZLYXxTpfwAOAHA-9juoyTQydXaR3OJGE261dDBjIcodnRbN~1bPx-NUgU-eaZupR8L3oWFkjNoHlFuinQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elkhart City Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 28 approved an amended use variance allowing the Elkhart Community Schools Teenage Parent Program at 2424 California Road to increase its licensed capacity from 18 to 66 children.

Planning staff told the board the expanded capacity reflects updated state licensing and that the facility currently holds a state child care license for up to 66 children. “The approval in 2019 allowed 18 children,” planning staff said; “the property has a child care center license now for up to 66 children. They undergo an annual inspection, and no local complaints have been received regarding the day care operation. Therefore, the staff recommends approval of the use variance based on the following findings of fact.”

The program representative said the school corporation is expanding the program to offer “more spaces for student parents.” Staff explained the case is before the board as an amended use variance because the site is in an M-1 limited manufacturing zoning district and the updated state child-care rules require a municipal letter for licensure.

Staff told the board the program has operated on the campus in some form since 1977 and at the 2424 California Road location since February 2004. The staff findings submitted to the board said the amendment would not be injurious to public health or safety, would not substantially affect adjacent property values, and would be consistent with the city comprehensive plan because the area is intended for institutional uses.

The board voted to approve the amended use variance after a motion to adopt the petitioner’s documents and the staff findings as the board’s findings. Roll call votes were recorded as follows: Mulvaney — yes; Blakeman — yes; Evangelica/Evangiarica — yes. The motion passed unanimously and the amended variance was approved.

Votes at a glance

- Use variance 19 UV 10 (amended): Motion to approve the amended use variance and adopt the petitioner’s documents and staff findings as the board’s findings. Outcome: approved. Roll call: Mulvaney — yes; Blakeman — yes; Evangelica/Evangiarica — yes.

What happened next

After the vote, the petitioner’s representative thanked the board. Staff noted that if any party wishes to appeal the board’s decision they must file in the appropriate court within 30 days or file a written appearance with the board prior to the hearing to preserve appeal rights.

Details and next steps

- Site: 2424 California Road.
- Applicant: Elkhart Community Schools Teenage Parent Program (request presented by an Elkhart Community Schools representative).
- Prior approval: 2019 approval permitted 18 children (approved Sept. 19, 2019, per staff statement).
- Requested change: increase permitted/licensed children from 18 to 66 to align local approval with the state license.
- Staff recommendation: approval based on findings that the site already houses the program, no local complaints had been recorded, and the change aligns with the comprehensive plan.

Authorities and legal references cited at the hearing included the state child-care licensure requirements administered by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration and the related state-level program referenced by staff (Brighter Futures). The board’s action amends the prior local approval so the local authorization aligns with the state license.","The Elkhart City Board of Zoning Appeals approved an amended use variance to allow the Elkhart Community Schools Teenage Parent Program at 2424 California Road to increase licensed capacity from 18 to 66 children to match state licensing requirements.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning staff previews comprehensive Unified Development Ordinance update for Elkhart City

Board approves Elkhart Community Schools request to increase teenage-parent program capacity to 66 children