La Porte City’s Board of Zoning Appeals approved three separate variance requests on Nov. 12, 2025, allowing reductions to setback requirements and increases to accessory-building sizes on three properties.

Petition 25-12: Doug BG, owner of 1817 Indiana Avenue, asked the board to reduce the minimum separation between his house and a detached garage from 10 feet to 8.5 feet so he could add a larger master bedroom and a three-season room. Doug said the work ‘‘is all right between my house and my garage’’ and that ‘‘Nobody's gonna be affected like this at in an adverse manner whatsoever.’’ Planning staff presented site photos and recommended approval, saying the addition is contained on the lot and is consistent with the countywide land development plan. Vicky Gusrowski moved to approve; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Petition 25-13: Krista Medina, owner of 816 I Street, requested permission to build a 16-by-24 covered structure that brings total accessory-building area to 976 square feet—255 square feet over the 721-square-foot limit. Krista said the structure ‘‘will enhance [the yard] in a positive way’’ and staff noted similar accessory structures in the area and recommended approval. The board approved the variance after a brief exchange of questions.

Petition 25-14: A petitioner representative described plans to expand a pole-barn-style accessory building so the total structure would be 9,368 square feet and requested an increase in the height maximum to 18 feet. Staff reported the parcel is about 13.07 acres and that comparable large accessory buildings exist nearby; staff recommended approval and the board granted the variance by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: 25-12 (reduce accessory-building setback to 8.5 feet) — approved on motion by Vicky Gusrowski; 25-13 (allow 976 sq. ft. accessory area for a covered structure) — approved; 25-14 (allow 9,368 sq. ft. accessory building and up to 18-foot height) — approved.

The board took no additional public comment on these items and moved on to the larger subdivision petition later in the meeting.