St. Joseph County's Area Board of Zoning Appeals on Dec. 5 approved multiple zoning variances for homes and a multifamily site and tabled one petition to allow the owner to seek further legal and building-department review.

Adia Smith, a staff member with the Area Plan Commission, told the board staff recommended denial of a Michigan Street petition that sought permission for a total of 4,381 square feet of detached accessory structures on two parcels where the ordinance permits a maximum of 960 square feet. The owner, Kurt Shiebesch, said he built a new 2,301-square-foot structure to store oversized vehicles and cited Indiana Code 36-7-8-3 and appellate decisions as reasons the building should not be treated like a typical permitted accessory structure. After board members urged him to consult the building department and legal counsel, the board voted to table the petition 6-0 to allow the petitioner 30 days to do so.

The board separately approved a set of residential variances. Sean Klein, director of the Area Plan Commission, recommended approval of a front-setback variance for a proposed garage at 14766 Salim Court, explaining site constraints including a septic absorption field and slope limited options for placing an addition. The board voted to grant the variance.

A petition at 11538 Edison Road seeking a variance to keep a 6-foot privacy fence in the front yard was also approved. Staff noted the fence was built before the county began enforcing residential-fence permits (staff said the permit requirement began in 2023, while the property owner said the fence was installed in 2021), but recommended denial; the owner, Matthew Parvally, described safety concerns and said he employs a St. Joseph County police officer and keeps two retired police canines. Parvally also referenced an officer-involved shooting and said the taller fence helps protect his family and dogs. The board voted to grant the variance.

The board approved three variances for a multifamily plan at 4220 Pendle Street to accommodate reduced side and rear setbacks and a narrower interior maneuvering aisle; staff recommended approval with conditions that included reinforced pavement for the last 2 feet of each access drive and an on-site fire hydrant to address emergency access concerns. The board also granted a variance at 5121 Front Street allowing a 6-foot privacy fence on a double-frontage lot in New Carlisle after the homeowner, Sequoia Elder, described using the fence to contain two dogs and shield a public park area adjacent to the lot.

The board concluded the meeting by approving findings of fact for Nov. 12, 2025, and the Nov. 12 minutes.

Votes at a glance:
- Michigan Street (50825/50811 Michigan Rd): Motion to table carried 6-0.
- 14766 Salim Court (front-setback variance): Approved (roll call recorded six yes votes).
- 11538 Edison Road (6-foot front-yard fence): Approved (roll call recorded unanimous approval).
- 4220 Pendle Street (three variances for multifamily development): Approved (roll call recorded unanimous approval).
- 5121 Front Street (6-foot privacy fence on double-frontage lot): Approved (roll call recorded unanimous approval).

What's next: The Michigan Street petition will be placed on the next month's agenda after the petitioner consults staff and the building department and seeks legal advice; other approvals will be followed by written findings of fact issued by the board.

Quotes used in this story are taken from the meeting transcript of the Dec. 5, 2025 St. Joseph County Area Board of Zoning Appeals meeting.