Burns Harbor commissioners voted to approve a six-month extension of the building permit for 200 Fairchild Drive, allowing the owner additional time to finish exterior work and landscaping before an occupancy permit is issued.

Staff summarized the remaining exterior items: conversion of a rear deck to a gazebo, siding, shutters, exterior lighting and landscaping. The clerk noted the home had not yet received an occupancy permit. The applicant’s representative said most interior work was complete and that the listed exterior items and landscaping remained. Commissioners debated whether a shorter timeframe (120 days) would be enough and whether certain items (front-yard sod) might require the applicant to seek relief from the Board of Zoning Appeals due to subdivision control requirements.

An unidentified commissioner moved to approve a six-month extension, and the motion passed on a roll call vote: Travis Dunlap, Michelle Watkins, Gordon McCormack, Aaron Adcock, Bernie Poparack, Roseanne Bozak and Jeremy McHarg all voted "Yes." No "No," "Abstain," or recusal votes were recorded in the roll call shown in the transcript.

Commissioners noted practical constraints such as winter weather affecting landscaping and siding installation. Several members expressed a preference for conditions encouraging completion of exterior work within the extension period; staff noted that if front-yard sod is required by the subdivision control ordinance, the applicant may need separate approvals or relief.

The meeting’s later discussion returned to broader subdivision issues: commissioners raised concerns about phase completion, asphalt/blacktopping schedules, and whether bond amounts set years earlier should be adjusted to reflect current market prices to ensure sufficient funds to finish infrastructure when developers fail to complete work on schedule.

The extension was approved; staff will monitor progress and advise if additional administrative steps (such as Board of Zoning Appeals requests) are necessary.