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Board approves setback/subdivision relief to allow sale of new townhouses on Edwardsburg Avenue
Summary
The board granted developmental-variance relief to allow property lines through newly built duplex/townhouse units on Edwardsburg Avenue so halves can be sold individually, subject to an updated plat and minor-subdivision filing.
The Elkhart Board of Zoning Appeals voted Jan. 8 to approve a developmental variance allowing the petitioner to subdivide newly constructed duplex-style townhouses on Edwardsburg Avenue so each unit can be sold separately.
Petitioner Lehi Henderson told the board he built three buildings composed of side-by-side units (about 1,250 square feet each) priced under $200,000 to add affordable housing to the city. He said utilities and drives are separate and that the buildings were intentionally designed to read like townhouses rather than stacked apartments.
Unidentified staff said the requested relief would place a property line through the middle of an existing duplex, creating a 0-foot side-yard setback, and recommended approval with the condition that the petitioner file an updated plat as a minor subdivision for Lots 18–20 in the Adams Subdivision. Staff reported 47 mailed notices with one in favor and two opposed; one opposition comment complained about an excess of rentals and neighborhood change.
The board approved the developmental variance and adopted staff findings; members asked the petitioner to complete the required updated plat and confirmed the units were built to appropriate construction standards. The decision allows the petitioner to proceed with the subdivision and eventual sales, subject to the platting requirement and any building-code inspections.
