Zionsville BZA grants rear‑setback variance for Holiday Farms homeowner’s screened patio

The Town of Zionsville Board of Zoning Appeals voted Jan. 7 to approve docket 202544 DSV, granting a development standard variance to reduce the Holiday Farms PUD rear yard setback from 30 feet to 20 feet for a patio at 3733 Sherrill Drive.

Staff told the board the project meets the first two variance criteria (not injurious to public health and safety; will not substantially harm adjacent property values) and that the homeowners had HOA and IOP approvals. Staff recommended denial on the third criterion (unnecessary hardship), saying the desire for more outdoor living space alone does not meet the strict Zionsville standard for unnecessary hardship.

Homeowners David Boyce and his partner described the enclosed/screened area and an outdoor kitchen need tied to cultural cooking practices; they said they did not realize a variance was required when the work was completed and asked the board for relief. Board members discussed the purpose of the 30‑foot setback (light, air, buffering and emergency access) and noted the rear property faces planned commercial lots in the Holiday Farms corridor, which changes the functional adjacency concerns for the affected lot.

After discussion a member moved to approve the variance consistent with staff’s findings regarding items 1 and 2 and evidence presented; the motion passed by roll call with three ayes and one nay. The board’s approval allows the homeowner to keep the screened patio and outdoor kitchen area under the reduced rear yard setback, subject to compliance with HOA and administrative construction approvals.

The board noted broader zoning questions about the stringency of the unnecessary‑hardship standard and said practical‑difficulty standards under discussion at the town level might change future variance evaluations.

The petitioner was told staff would provide paperwork following the meeting; the item closed and the board moved to other business.