Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board conditionally approves Lennar variances for BriarLeaf development, requires buffer and depends on council rezoning
Summary
The La Porte BZA granted three variances sought by Lennar Holmes — reduced lot width (50→45 ft), reduced total side‑yard setbacks (15→10 ft), and reduced first‑floor minimum (800→500 sq ft) — subject to a landscape buffer commitment and contingent on City Council approval of rezoning to R1D.
The La Porte Board of Zoning Appeals on Dec. 9 approved three variances requested by Lennar Holmes of Indiana LLC for the proposed BriarLeaf subdivision but conditioned the approval on buffered landscaping and the City Council’s rezoning to R1D.
Attorney Bill Nelson asked the board to incorporate the Plan Commission record into the BZA proceeding and submitted affidavits of notice and publication. Nelson summarized supporting testimony, including a letter of support from a school superintendent and expert real‑estate testimony submitted to the record.
Todd Cleven, vice president of land for Lennar, said the three variances are needed to produce attainable price points in the current market and that the product mix would still exceed overall finished‑area minimums in most instances. He described the three requested variances: reduce minimum lot width from 50 to 45 feet (some peripheral lots to remain wider), reduce combined side‑yard setbacks from 15 to 10 feet (5 feet per side), and reduce minimum finished first‑floor area from 800 to 500 square feet for a subset of products. “We’re building above the garage,” Cleven said, explaining why a smaller first‑floor footprint can still yield acceptable total living area.
Staff reviewed decision criteria and recommended approval, noting that the proposed homes and infrastructure (storm basins, wetlands preservation, internal streets) would be constructed to contemporary standards. However, multiple neighbors raised concerns in public comment: Tim Connell argued for a 50‑foot Type A buffer with canopy and evergreen trees, and others raised fears about noise, dust, property values and access to amenities.
Lennar’s engineer, Madeline Larman of Mackie Consultants, explained buffer dimensions are illustrative at this stage and estimated a pinch‑point buffer at roughly 35 feet but said exact dimensions would be set in engineering. Lennar committed to constructing the buffer shown on the concept plan and to consider additional measures as engineering progresses.
After discussion, the board approved the three variances with the condition that the developer provide the proposed buffer zones (as shown in the concept plan) and that final approvals be contingent upon City Council action on rezoning to R1D.
The decision allows Lennar to proceed toward site engineering and design under the variances, subject to the buffer commitments and successful rezoning.
