LaPorte County Board of Zoning Appeals approves several variances, sets time limits and conditions for RV and youth-facility requests

LaPorte County’s Board of Zoning Appeals on July 15 approved a slate of development variances ranging from lifetime exceptions for long-standing mobile-home placements to a conditional use variance for a rural youth-wrestling training facility.

The board approved a lifetime variance for the current owner of a mobile home at 8581 South 1010 West after attorney Andrew Volts (David Ambers & Associates) told the panel the variance has been renewed periodically since 1986 and “it runs with the property owner and not with the land.” Similar lifetime relief was granted to the occupant of a mobile home at 8451 North 500 West after Peggy Ward described her circumstances, saying she is retired and "on Social Security" and asked for a lifetime allowance rather than repeated renewals.

In a contested procedural decision, the board granted Skyler and Lauren Rippey a three-year temporary variance to live in an RV at 196 South 600 East while building a house on the 5-acre parcel, but added an explicit condition: construction must begin within 12 months and be completed within three years. Skyler Rippey agreed the schedule was feasible, telling the board he expected the build to take about three years.

The board approved a four-year mobile-home placement request by Andrea Buttermore to move a mobile home onto her property so her daughter and grandchildren can reside nearby; members noted existing water/sewage issues at the current park and said the four-year term would allow re-evaluation.

Kyle Malone received a setback variance for a 14-by-24-foot prefabricated accessory shed at 6821 Red Apple Drive; the board granted a 4-foot side setback and 7-foot rear setback in lieu of the 10-foot requirement, and noted the building department will inspect foundation and anchoring at permitting.

A use variance to operate a youth-wrestling training facility at 36 N. 900 E. (New Carlisle) drew the most public attention. Neighbor Brenda Guido urged denial, saying: "My primary concern is traffic and safety," and arguing a commercial facility would change the character of the rural road and create parking, lighting and septic issues. Operator Chris Bleeger said the program averages about 35 children per practice, runs two evening practices currently and is not planned as a tournament venue. The board discussed notice to an adjacent St. Joseph County parcel (a remonstrance letter exists) and ultimately approved the use with conditions discussed on lighting, screening (board members recommended planting arborvitae), and hours of operation to limit impact on neighbors.

Votes at a glance: Petition 1 (Flederer mobile home, 8581 S. 1010 W.) — lifetime variance approved. Petition 2 (Ward/Batzel mobile home, 8451 N. 500 W.) — lifetime variance approved. Petition 3 (Skyler & Lauren Rippey RV temporary placement, 196 S. 600 E.) — 3-year variance approved with construction to start within 12 months and complete within 3 years (vote announced 3–2). Petition 4 (Buttermore mobile-home placement, 6272 E. 50 N.) — approved for 4 years. Petition 5 (Malone accessory shed, 6821 Red Apple Dr.) — setback variances approved (side 4 ft, rear 7 ft). Petition 6 (Macchas/Bleeger youth wrestling facility, 36 N. 900 E.) — use variance approved with conditions on lighting, screening and hours; the motion included references to meeting the county lighting rules and planting screening vegetation.

Why it matters: The board’s actions affect long-standing mobile-home residents, homeowners seeking to build on rural parcels, and a youth sports operator seeking to expand in a residential area. The Rippey decision illustrates how the board balances temporary housing needs against construction schedules; the wrestling-facility approval shows how the board conditions new rural commercial uses to address neighbors’ safety, traffic and lighting concerns.

The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment by voice vote.