Hammond board approves variances for Mickey’s Linen at 5530 Hohman Avenue

The Hammond Advisory Board of Building Appeals on March 25 approved two developmental variances for property at 5530 Hohman Avenue so tenant Mickey’s Linen and Towel Supply Inc. can build an addition on the existing lot line and install a 6-foot ornamental, retractable fence around a new loading area.

The board voted 4-0 to approve the staff-recommended findings and conditions for both cases: Z2503(a), which allows a reduction of the rear yard setback from about 22.2 feet to 0 feet to permit an addition and new loading dock, and Z2503(b), which allows a front/side yard fence height of 6 feet where 4 feet is normally permitted.

The variances are meant to let the existing building footprint extend to the alley to accommodate an elevated loading area and equipment and to secure that area from pedestrian access. Scott Yaney, representing the petitioner and identifying himself as appearing on behalf of Mickey’s and the property owner 5530 Hohman LLC, described the plan and the related site drawings, saying the fence is “to secure the loading area and also keep … any pedestrians from entering in that loading area and making an unsafe … situation.” He told the board the proposed fence will be ornamental, black and paired with planters on the Hohman Avenue sidewalk to soften the streetscape.

Board discussion and staff reports noted additional conditions before the work proceeds. Staff recommended — and the board accepted — conditions that include: approval of the companion variance (Z2503 a or b, as applicable); a reasonable attempt to match the existing masonry façade on the addition; maintaining vision clearance triangles at specified corners of the parcel so vehicle sight lines are not obstructed; and approval by the Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety and the City Council to permit two-way traffic on Doty Street (contiguous with the west edge of the property) and on Condit Street to the alley adjacent to 5530 Hohman Avenue to accommodate safe truck ingress and egress. For the fence variance staff further recommended that no barbed or razor wire be added to exceed the 6-foot peak height and that a masonry-walled, limestone-capped landscape bed be installed at the front property line along Hohman Avenue.

Yaney and his team said truck movements for smaller box-style delivery vehicles were tested and reviewed with city staff to avoid conflicts with curbing, the fence, and the public right-of-way. Yaney also said the building height for the addition is 21 feet 3 inches and that the variance is being sought under the two-story-equivalent standard because of that height. Peter Brown, the petitioner’s on-screen client, was present during the presentation to answer questions about finishes and compatibility with adjacent buildings.

Board members asked for assurances the addition would match the existing building. Board member William Hutton said, “Great presentation. This addition we’re talking about, make sure it’s pretty when you connect it to my building.” Yaney replied the team intends to match the existing facade and is “freshening up the building and restoring to what it was.”

Both variance motions were approved unanimously (4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstentions). The board’s approvals were recorded as conditional on the items listed in the staff reports; several conditions require separate approvals from the Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety and the Hammond City Council before certain traffic changes or right-of-way modifications may be implemented. The board closed public comment after hearing no speakers in person or online and adjourned at about 6:35 p.m.

Next steps: the petitioner will proceed with permit-related coordination including the Board of Public Works and Safety and City Council approvals noted in the staff conditions; the board’s vote authorized the variances subject to those conditions and the amended findings of fact presented at the meeting.