Appeals board approves Saint Matthias Church bell tower with noise limits

The Crown Point Appeals Board voted Nov. 24 to approve a variance allowing Saint Matthias Church to install a bell tower on its property at 101 West Burrell Drive.

Mike Bucha, speaking for Saint Matthias Church, described a galvanized-structural-steel bell tower topped by a 10-foot cross. Bucha said the tower is designed to place the bells at about 40 feet with a 10-foot cross above, and that the project includes restored bronze bells from a decommissioned church in Chicago. He said the projected sound level would be about 70 decibels at 500 feet, and that the nearest occupied rooms at a facility named Ignite are roughly 600 feet away.

City planning staff reviewed the site's plans, elevation drawings and decibel projections and told the board the petition meets the findings of fact needed for a variance from the 16-foot accessory-structure height limit. Staff noted that city sound ordinances and any time/volume restrictions would apply and recommended approval.

Board members asked about landscaping changes to the site and whether the tower would be used to ring for Mass. Bucha said the parish intends to ring the bells to call parishioners for Mass and that the project includes clearing and redoing the landscape mound in front of the church. Several members said the tower would be an appropriate, aesthetic addition and supported approval.

The board approved petition 25-42 in roll call, recording unanimous support from present members. The approval is subject to compliance with applicable sound and time restrictions under the city's ordinances and to standard permit reviews.