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Conservation club won variance to keep permeable parking for new clubhouse in Lakeville
Summary
The Area Board of Zoning Appeals granted Lakeville Conservation Club a variance to avoid paving 13 new parking spaces for a planned ~3,200 sq ft clubhouse, citing low intensity of use, historical parking patterns, and engineering staff support; approval included written findings.
The St. Joseph County Area Board of Zoning Appeals voted June 12 to grant the Lakeville Conservation Club a variance to the county’s hard‑surface parking requirement for a proposed 3,200‑square‑foot clubhouse.
Area plan staff (Carl Brown Grimm) told the board the club historically parked on unpaved surfaces without complaints and that the county engineer had no objection. Staff recommended a variance on the grounds the new clubhouse would not increase site intensity and that hard surfacing could create unnecessary impervious cover and stormwater runoff contrary to the club’s conservation purpose.
Mike Czechowski, a club member and contractor, outlined safety and accessibility problems at the existing building and said the membership has raised funds over 12 years to build a new, accessible building. “The number one and most concern that I have for this property is the building that we’re in right now has inadequate stairs and the restrooms are in the basement,” Czechowski said. Club president Dave Braniff noted the membership is largely elderly and that the club lacks funds for asphalt; he asked the board for leniency.
A local resident on Zoom, Charlotte Wolf, supported the variance and called permeable parking “much more ecologically sound than having a paved surface where that’s not needed.” No one from the public testified against the petition in person or online. A board member moved to approve the variance as requested; the motion passed and the board directed staff to issue written findings of fact.
What happens next: Staff will document conditions and findings and the club may proceed according to the approved plans and applicable permitting requirements.
