Whiteland BZA approves setback variance for 19 Maple Street, allows fiber-cement siding

Whiteland Town Board of Zoning Appeals members voted to grant a development standards variance for 19 Maple Street, allowing side-yard setbacks to be reduced to 10 feet on each side and permitting fiber-cement board as an exterior finish in place of the ordinance-required brick or stone covering 75% of exterior walls.

Town staff presented Case 2025BDash09 and told the board that the lot measures roughly 100 by 106 feet and that the proposed single-story house would be about 72 feet wide, leaving an aggregate side-yard distance that staff judged acceptable. "The staff recommends approval of the position based on findings of facts," staff said during the presentation. Staff said the variance would avoid the need to open the road for an additional driveway cut and that a stamped plot plan will be required before any building permit is issued.

A two-page, handwritten remonstrance from the homeowner at 420 Whiteland Road was read into the record. The letter said, "The garage area of the house will be 9 foot 1 inch from my fence. This makes me feel very crowded," and asked that the side-yard requirement remain in place. The board discussed the claim and staff replied that the exact setback will be verified by a licensed surveyor when the petitioner submits the required plot plan.

Board members and staff also discussed the town's exterior-materials ordinance (Ordinance 156.054 and Ordinance 156.057) and a cited state variance authority read into the record (as read: "IC 36 dash 7 dash 4 dash 9 1 8.5"). Staff said the industry is increasingly using fiber-cement board and that town staff is working on an ordinance amendment so future cases do not repeatedly require variance requests for the same material issue. "It's a good product... Everybody's using it," staff said in describing industry practice.

After discussion, the chair moved to approve the variance "based on the findings of fact that we've learned tonight." In a roll-call vote recorded on the minutes the following responses were given on the record: Byron Temple — yes; Keith Bachar — approved; Mary Westfall — yes; Gary Hall — yes. A second was not stated on the record for the variance motion. The board's action approved the variance; staff reiterated that a stamped plot plan will be required prior to permitting to confirm dimensions and driveway alignment.

The hearing was closed with no additional public testimony. The board then took routine closing business and voted to adjourn.