Council approves three zoning special exceptions for West Indiana and Elliott Street lots

The Common Council voted unanimously on third reading Monday to adopt three zoning ordinances that had come from the advisory board of zoning appeals and the committee of the whole.

Bill 70-25 (1417 West Indiana) and Bill 71-25 (1409 West Indiana) are special-exception petitions to permit stacked two-unit duplexes on currently vacant lots; both came to the council with favorable committee recommendations and petitioner Kim (KT Solutions LLC) told the council the owner planned to begin construction in the spring following approvals. Bill 72-25 (1101 Elliot Street) permits the conversion of a single-family detached house into a two-unit dwelling under a special exception; Tim Staub noted that the petition was consistent with the city's comprehensive plan and neighborhood objectives.

All three bills were approved by roll-call votes recorded as seven ayes. Petitioners and staff emphasized consistency with city planning objectives to encourage varied housing types and to fill underutilized lots.

What passed: The ordinances allow the specified two-unit dwellings as exceptions in urban neighborhood zoning, subject to the city's plan-review and building-permit processes.