Sept. 24, 2025 — The Tippecanoe County Area Board of Zoning Appeals voted 6-0 to grant a variance allowing a maximum height of 17 feet at the finished floor of the upper story instead of the 14 feet permitted in the R-3W zone for Lot 3 of Tower Acres, Part 3 (commonly 1320 David Ross Road, West Lafayette).

Staff said the requested increase is small and consistent with surrounding development near the western edge of Purdue University, many buildings of which either received height variances historically or predate the current Unified Zoning Ordinance. The petitioner said the addition will house roughly 60 additional residents and that the variance will allow the new roofline to match the existing building.

Nathan McBurnett, Area Plan Commission staff, described the site’s context near Purdue’s Ackerman-Allen golf course, fraternity houses and recreation fields. McBurnett said the property is zoned R-3W and that the height measurement method in that zone results in a practical difficulty; staff characterized the issue as an ordinance-imposed hardship related to how the height is measured and recommended approval for consistency with surrounding structures. He told the board the measurement method is under review and would be discussed at an upcoming administrative officers meeting.

Kevin Riley, attorney with RTS Law representing Fairway Cooperative Association Inc., said the addition is intended to add space for about 60 residents and to align the new roof with the existing structure. Riley said he agreed with staff’s findings and offered to answer questions.

No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition. After brief questions from the board and staff clarifications, the board cast six ballots in favor of the variance.

The variance allows the petitioner to proceed with design and permitting steps for the addition subject to normal building and zoning permit reviews.