Fall Creek zoning board approves 4-foot setback variance for Fishers homeowner

An unidentified board member of the Fall Creek Board of Zoning Appeals moved and the board approved a variance on a voice vote to reduce the west-side accessory-structure setback to 4 feet at 10418 East 116th Street, allowing a homeowner to add onto an existing detached garage.

The applicant, Mark Albert, identified himself as the property owner and told the board he is requesting the variance because the existing detached garage predates his ownership and sits at an angle that would force a new addition into the setback if it followed the current building line. "I'm here to request a variance to reduce the west side property line setback to 4 feet to accommodate a proposed garage addition," Albert said, describing a single-story addition with a 13-foot peak and roughly 9-foot eaves that would match the existing structure.

Grace Wiley, a planner for the City of Fishers, told the board the request is for a development standards variance under section 6.2.0.2.c of the city's Unified Development Ordinance and that the site is zoned R2 single-family residential. Wiley said the Fishers 2040 comprehensive plan designates the area as low-density residential and noted, "Staff has no recommendation to the Fall Creek Board of Zoning Appeals for this request."

During discussion, board members asked about applicable side-yard setbacks and whether screening or landscaping would be added. Wiley said primary-structure setbacks are typically 10 feet for front-loaded garages and 5 feet for side- or rear-loaded garages; the accessory-structure setback requested is 4 feet. The applicant told the board he has planted arborvitae screening behind the current garage and plans to continue that line of evergreens to buffer neighboring lots. He also described site constraints including existing trees between the house and garage and driveway alignment that limit shifting the addition farther east.

With public testimony closed and no members of the public speaking, an unidentified board member moved to approve the variance with two conditions: that the approval letter and related documentation be recorded with the Hamilton County Recorder's Office and that the structure be constructed within a two-year window. After a second, the motion carried on a voice vote; several members responded "aye." Following the vote, Albert thanked staff and board members and said he plans to move forward with the project in the spring when his contractor is available.

The board then addressed meeting scheduling and other housekeeping items and adjourned. The staff planner identified the site as 10418 E. 116th Street, between Cumberland Road and Hoosier Road, and said no public comments had been received prior to the meeting.