The Board of Zoning Appeals hearing officer approved a variance Sept. 29 allowing a homeowner to replace a deteriorating utility shed with a larger pavilion and storage structure at 11941 Westwood Road in Carmel.

Petitioner Caleb Peters said the existing 13‑by‑7 pool utility shed is “completely falling apart” and described the replacement as a 7‑by‑16 shed with an 11‑by‑20 lean‑to pavilion that would raise total accessory building coverage on the lot to roughly 106 percent of the permitted amount; he gave the new structure’s total area as about 332 square feet.

City planning staff reported the proposed shed will sit at the far rear of a roughly three‑quarter‑acre lot, will be approximately 10½ feet from the rear property line and 14 feet from the side, and will not encroach into recorded easements. The Department of Community Services told the board the material and colors will complement the house, the petitioner had addressed planning and zoning review comments, and Carmel Engineering raised no concerns. Staff recommended positive consideration.

The hearing officer approved the variance request and adoption of the petitioner’s findings of fact. No members of the public spoke in opposition. The record shows the structure will be under the UDO’s permitted height limit (approximately 10 feet at peak, about 8 feet at the low end) and located out of view from the public right‑of‑way.

The approval is administrative; final permits and any remaining project review comments will be resolved through the building‑permit review process.