[{"_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",6461861,"mediaKeyId","5820930-85d5928d0c5dd6f78b6e092166ccd99f","parentId",5820930,"title","Staff proposes alternative standards to ease infill housing in Michigan City's older neighborhoods","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1951000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5820930-85d5928d0c5dd6f78b6e092166ccd99f&start=1951&end=1951","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5820930-85d5928d0c5dd6f78b6e092166ccd99f/thumbnail_1951000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461861/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Staff-proposes-alternative-standards-to-ease-infill-housing-in-Michigan-Citys-older-neighborhoods","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461861-d19762368833175d4864c1a3fc4813c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021649&Signature=PSrZ1HpZaYMjtvBoelW2-7AxJO-TjQRdR14maN9dfMbPtOrnF-JngdZYQeY3tte1uBFpqIEE62gWTVToNFfVEfqUGdhXZWkoGoBiGvMrWJ9XiuPNNG6NLwGsgFKIYgM7f6Yiz6x4PYU5iOetCw2z6obrjUypTLpzCGBipttPPAAx4~4oiW94HpmxNNm2WhbDtXSY7WErX4cwUnPSLOmMj-iywPeNct03SfawL0Gg4bUWlw~ZQ6i8kvi3080-1QoeRNA14gkX60KmO4Oz06MaGqr00rvdXC3oWyQpDv1vTrRBw-yZI6N57L7hOi7D7huefL2w2HSV4UfMu2N-As9yOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Michigan City, IN","date","2025-09-24T00:00:00Z","article","Planning staff presented a proposed zoning approach on Sept. 23 intended to make it easier to rebuild homes and add modest new housing on Michigan City's smaller, older lots without requiring a board of zoning appeals variance.

Planner Skyler York described an \"alternative standards\" approach that would apply only in R-1D and R-1E single-family residential zones — the city's older, gridded neighborhoods with many 40- to 50-foot-wide lots. Under current rules, typical front and corner setbacks of 20 feet can render a 40- or 45-foot lot effectively unbuildable without a variance; staff said the proposal would allow staff to apply an average-block setback and reduced minimum footprint in defined situations so that modest homes can be built by right.

\"We need to be creating some flexible code to allow this,\" York told the commission, summarizing the intent to preserve neighborhood character while encouraging reinvestment. Staff noted the city's existing Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance already contains a similar flexibility for R-1E, and the proposed changes would extend an analogous process to R-1D.

York gave examples the standards would produce: using average setbacks on a block could reduce a typical front setback to about 16 feet and allow footprints in the 700–900 square-foot range on narrow lots, measured as building footprint rather than total gross floor area. York stressed the approach is meant to be \"a la carte\" — applicants would use only the specific relief they need — and to create a \"buy-right\" permitting pathway that avoids the time and uncertainty of a variance process.

Public commenters and department staff expressed support. Wendy Vachey, public works director, said the change would allow the city to use existing infrastructure and reduce staff time spent processing variance applications. Several residents, including Scott Mellentour and Tommy Kolovic, also praised the proposal as a practical way to return vacant lots to the tax roll with smaller, more affordable homes.

York said staff will provide a draft ordinance for the commission to review at the next meeting and intends to present a digital version and public-facing materials when live streaming is restored. He and staff indicated related code updates on tree protection and landscape requirements, and possible transit-oriented development adjustments, will be brought forward in coming months.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Michigan City Planning Commission September 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City planning staff presented an ordinance to allow alternate, 'by-right' infill standards for R-1D and R-1E lots (smaller historic lots), aiming to reduce the need for variances and speed modest residential redevelopment; staff will provide a draft ordinance at the next meeting.","taxTitle","Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana","taxId",12510,"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},6461863,"Planning commission forwards Shad Brennan rezoning at 504 Eastwood Road to council with favorable recommendation",1664,203000,1867000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5820930-85d5928d0c5dd6f78b6e092166ccd99f&start=203&end=1867","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5820930-85d5928d0c5dd6f78b6e092166ccd99f/thumbnail_203000.jpg","/articles/6461863/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Planning-commission-forwards-Shad-Brennan-rezoning-at-504-Eastwood-Road-to-council-with-favorable-recommendation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461863-9104ed7ef9b787d57c247a831c598ce8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021649&Signature=KTuA04nHwgx7e8gdZTkhrD7fudsyitogs-aWWjHN014GM7jwYeTEWDdhT4fNym2NxvbYWL8TkViJAsH56uc4oMBkvL0tSlAuvyqVRy6nwfxaIM8SwFvcfK~ugz8lM7mONLCat0UTlrff0g~ViDeufHdLrDxYjHUVXD2vsD3FIiyli0DCGcJEvbhXEQHqcETfOweAl2f3rZ7ZZ4fUTyfsq782CtCg3g-QRKNTr7cAZaTUgcCKaC6ftDutwcgfiod8dFBPrZ9vRHPeWndsQaLCi5PgigJBaJ4iXep7c5oa8KGWzHpHONGQIm7Hb6FJ6EBvQxYDSfcA3oIBGVp7oGOBQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Michigan City Planning Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 23 to forward petition P101-25 — a request to rezone two contiguous parcels at 504 Eastwood Road from M-2 heavy industrial to R-1C single-family residential — to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation.

The petition, filed by Shad Brennan Investing Partnership and represented at the meeting by attorney Anthony Novak of Newby, Lewis, Kaminski & Jones, covers two parcels totaling about 20 acres: a 5-acre parcel with an existing residence and a roughly 15-acre parcel behind it. Novak said the owners’ intent is to preserve the property and, if needed in the future, rebuild or place a residence rather than return the land to commercial/industrial use. \"We're just doing a simple rezone request tonight,\" Novak said during his presentation.

City planning staff presented a report recommending approval. Planning staff noted the parcels are currently taxed and used as residential, that the city's comprehensive plan labels the parcels as rural residential, and that much of the area to the west of the property is already zoned R-1C. Planner Skyler York read findings that the requested zoning change is consistent with the future land use map and the character of surrounding uses, and concluded the rezoning would not be injurious to property values.

The commission’s legal advisor confirmed the petitioners had complied with notice requirements and that the commission’s role is to hold a public hearing and forward a recommendation to the Common Council under Indiana Code 36-7-4-603 and the city zoning ordinance. \"I've had an opportunity to review the notice, documentation supplied by the petitioner. It's in conformance with our requirements,\" the legal advisor said.

Three members of the public spoke in support. Tommy Kolovic suggested the owners consider donating the parcel to the Shirley Heinze Land Trust in their will; Scott Mellentour and another resident praised the applicants’ stated preservation goals and the wooded character of the site.

After public comment the commission moved to forward the petition to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation and attached findings prepared by staff. The roll call vote recorded affirmative votes from Commissioners Bolling, Dabney, DeMedici, DePalma, Clender, Tejeta, and Warner; the motion carried and the certification and proposed ordinance will be sent to the Common Council for final action.

The commission chair closed the item and indicated staff would follow up with the applicants and the Common Council as the ordinance proceeds through the council's process.","The Michigan City Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward petition P101-25, a request to rezone two contiguous parcels at 504 Eastwood Road (about 20 acres) from M-2 heavy industrial to R-1C single-family residential, to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation.","actionData","errors"]

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Staff proposes alternative standards to ease infill housing in Michigan City's older neighborhoods

Planning commission forwards Shad Brennan rezoning at 504 Eastwood Road to council with favorable recommendation