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Board approves three additional variances, hears Area Plan presentation notice
Summary
The board approved variances for a church parking expansion (Jackson Road), a conversion to a counseling facility (Ardmore Trail) and a residential accessory building (Pear Road). Staff supported or conditionally supported each application except the Pear Road accessory request, where staff had recommended denial but the board approved.
At its Sept. 11, 2024 meeting, the St. Joseph County Area Board of Zoning Appeals approved three additional petitions and received planning-office announcements.
Petition 2: Vineyard Community Church (16219 Jackson Road) — The church sought a reduced east-side setback (10 feet where 20 feet is ordinarily required) for an 86-space parking expansion. Area Plan staff (Sean Klein) recommended approval because the adjacent property is zoned office rather than residential, the church proposed parking-area screening (shrubs), and practical difficulties supported relief. Petitioner Steve Huffman said the expansion would restore roughly 20–25 parking spaces (about 60 more attendees) and that the adjacent business owner supports the change. The board approved the variance based on the staff report and conditions.
Petition 3: 22925 Ardmore Trail — The owner sought several variances to allow parking at a 0-foot front/side setback and to waive front-yard landscaping and parking-area screening for a counseling practice in a former HVAC/property. Staff supported relief given large right-of-way widths, corner-lot constraints and pervasive nonconforming development on the corridor; petitioner Brian Clark said the change would make the counseling service viable. The board granted the variances.
Petition 4: 58375 Pear Road — Staff (Carl Ron Grimm) recommended denial of an accessory-structure variance that would increase detached accessory square footage beyond ordinance limits, citing prior accessory construction already exceeding ordinance allowances. The petitioner’s consultant argued the request was driven by storage needs and that the building would be screened. The board approved the variance per the submitted site plan; written findings will be prepared.
Other business: The board approved minutes from May 16, 2024, and staff invited board members to an Area Plan Commission presentation next Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. on a draft plan; the APC is expected to vote in October. The meeting adjourned after brief closing remarks.
Votes at a glance: all four petitions heard Sept. 11 were approved; the transcript records at least one dissent on petition 1.
