Porter County board continues decision on Valparaiso landscaping-storage case for 30 days

The Porter County board voted to continue a public hearing for case UV-2025-7, a use-variance petition by Austria Medina and Jose Ochoa to allow storage of landscaping equipment and work trucks on Lot 7 in the Clearwater subdivision in Valparaiso.

Medina and Ochoa told the board they purchased the parcel in 2023 and that a garage and several vehicles had been stored on the lot for many years. Austria Medina said the garage is used for personal storage and for landscaping tools and that most equipment is kept inside the property. "When we purchased the property, there was trailers. There were some, dump trucks in the property that were used before the owner for years," Medina said. She added that the business sources most supplies locally and that the operation provided jobs in the area.

Neighbors and board members expressed concerns about the residential density of the area, outdoor storage, and the need for clearer documentation of prior uses and parcel history. One board member cited similar nearby parcels and asked staff to "put our arms around" the issue before approving a use change in a dense residential neighborhood. The board voted to continue the case for 30 days; hearing staff scheduled the continuation for March 19 at 5:30 p.m. so the board and staff could gather additional information.

The continuance was recorded as a motion to continue for 30 days and carried by voice vote. The board directed staff to return with additional information about parcel history, any existing commercial use patterns in the vicinity, and any regulatory or enforcement issues that might influence a final decision.