Commission approves Saint Pius frontage rezoning and parking setback variance

The Saint Joseph County Area Plan Commission voted Oct. 15 to forward APC 3054‑24 to the county council with a favorable recommendation and approved the associated variance for parking set-back requirements.

Staff presented the combined public hearing for the parish’s request to rezone a portion of the church’s frontage along State Road 23 to C Commercial, noting that much of the church’s frontage already is commercial and that rezoning would address multiple zoning types along the road. Staff said the rezoning triggers a variance from Sec. 154.182(d)(2) because a corner of the existing parking lot sits within the minimum front yard across from a residential use; staff recommended both the rezoning and the variance, calling the parking area an existing condition within a largely commercial corridor.

Anthony Pericini, a parishioner and commercial broker, said the church removed an earlier sign and worked with staff to modify a proposed monument sign to meet commercial‑district standards; the parish plans a 15‑by‑9‑foot sign with an LED display to mark State Road 23 entrances for safety and wayfinding. Pericini said the rezoning was recommended by the BZA during earlier conversations and that the parish sought the change to improve traffic safety and communications for parish activities.

No members of the public spoke for or against the combined petition during the hearing. Commissioner DJ Tavernier moved to forward the rezoning with a favorable recommendation; the motion passed on a recorded roll call. Julie Lauck moved to approve the variance; the variance motion also carried by roll call.

Next steps: the rezoning will be referred to the county council; the approved variance allows the existing parking configuration to remain as requested.