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Board allows 6‑foot chain‑link fence at Pura Vida site and approves barbed wire after petitioner request
Summary
Elkhart City’s Board of Zoning Appeals approved a developmental variance allowing Pura Vida Chicas Holding LLC to install a 6‑foot chain‑link fence across the front of 2831 Jammy Street; staff recommended approval without barbed wire but the board granted the full request, voting unanimously.
The Elkhart City Board of Zoning Appeals on Jan. 9 approved a variance allowing Pura Vida Chicas Holding LLC to install a 6‑foot chain‑link fence across the front of 2831 Jammy Street and to incorporate barbed wire on top of that fence.
The petitioner, Jill James Loterman (partner, Pura Vida Chicas), said the fence and barbed wire are requested for safety and security and to match surrounding industrial properties. She told the board the property is being renovated, that landscaping will be added in front of the fence over the next three to five years, and that installing the fence will protect recent investments and deter overnight semi parking and trespass.
Planning staff recommended approval of a 6‑foot chain‑link fence but recommended denial of barbed wire across the front yard, saying security needs could be met without barbed wire and that the city aims to preserve a more aesthetically pleasing public frontage. Staff noted the site sits in an older, low‑traffic industrial park that was developed under county standards before annexation to the city and that many adjacent lots already have similar fences. Staff recommended approval of the fence without barbed wire based on property easements and stormwater retention area constraints that limit conforming fence placement.
A letter from a Mr. Crabtree supporting the variance was summarized by staff. The petitioner said adjoining properties have barbed wire and that adding barbed wire would avoid future retrofit costs after an incident.
The board moved beyond the staff recommendation and approved the fence with barbed wire; the motion to approve the petitioner’s documents alongside staff findings passed unanimously with the minimum three members present. The board’s approval recognized site constraints (utility easements and stormwater retention) and noted the fence would be consistent with the industrial park’s character.
