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Board approves variances and special exceptions including use variance, accessory structures, hens and a jiu-jitsu club
Summary
At its Sept. 16 meeting the LaPorte County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a series of variances and special exceptions: a use-variance for three small businesses at a farm property, variances for homes and accessory structures including one requiring a recorded easement, approval for backyard hens (maximum six, no roosters), and a special exception for a jiu-jitsu club with approved hours.
The LaPorte County Board of Zoning Appeals on Sept. 16 approved a bundle of petitions that the board characterized as routine zoning variances and special exceptions, while attaching conditions where required.
Highlights and formal outcomes
- Petition 2 (No Walk Farm LLC): The board granted a use variance to operate three small businesses (described as ATFE transfers, light machining, and auditing/consulting) at 4711 N 100 W. Attorney Andrew Volts said existing outbuildings will be used, occupancy will generally be by appointment/contractors rather than walk-in customers, and no roadside sign is planned. No remonstrators appeared; the board approved the variance by voice vote.
- Petition 4 (Emma and Andrew Lindeman): The board approved a variance to build on a landlocked parcel using an easement but required that the easement be recorded with dimensions before future transfers. A neighbor spoke in favor. The board reminded the applicants to obtain building permits from the building commissioner.
- Petition 5 (Catherine Yagelski): The board approved converting an existing garage to living space so the owner can care for an elderly parent. The applicant and contractor described plans for a new septic system and separate electrical service; board members noted the slab will likely need updating and advised coordination with the building commissioner for permits and inspections.
- Petition 6 (Ronald J. Yagelski and Lisa Stan): Variances for side, wetland and waterway setbacks were approved to permit an addition. The applicants said they have not yet completed a wetland delineation, plan to add a seawall and will address drainage and MS4 requirements; a written remonstrance about drainage is on file and the board advised coordination on runoff mitigation.
- Petition 7 (Larry Nickel and Suzanne M. Davis): The board approved a temporary park-model (12x34) home to house a 92-year-old relative, with the applicants describing electrical hookup and septic arrangements.
- Petition 8 (William and Brenda Abercrombie): The board allowed backyard hens at 5095 W Schultz Road with a cap of six hens and an explicit prohibition on roosters; the board noted written negative remonstrances had been filed and heard one neighbor speak in support.
- Petition 9 (Richard and Brooks Rogers): The board approved a second accessory structure for storage and clarified height allowances; board discussion agreed applicants could seek a peak height higher than initially requested (applicants were informed of building-code height limits and the need to coordinate with the building department).
- Petition 10 (Jason and Megan Vermeer): The board granted a special exception to operate a jiu-jitsu club in Rolling Prairie. The applicants described current enrollment of roughly 12–18 students, security cameras and a banner on the building (no roadside sign). The board and applicants settled hours during discussion; the board approved operating hours extending to 9 p.m. on weekdays and weekend morning classes (roughly 8 a.m.–noon), and approved the petition with those conditions.
Process notes and next steps
Several approvals included reminders that building permits, inspections and any required wetland delineations or drainage plans must be submitted to and approved by the building commissioner before construction proceeds. Petition 3 (Sunset Companies LLC) was left on the table due to applicant absence and will remain on the agenda for a future meeting.
All approved petitions were recorded in the meeting’s actions and applicants were instructed to coordinate with the LaPorte County building department for required permits and to follow any conditions set by the board.
