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Board approves minor subdivision variances for Douglas Road parcel
Summary
The board approved three variances to permit a two‑lot minor subdivision at 11961 Douglas Road, allowing an 11‑acre lot and a 1.3‑acre new lot and reduced frontage, citing consistency with the county comprehensive plan; vote recorded as 5–1 against one board member.
The St. Joseph County Area Board of Zoning Appeals voted Jan. 14 to approve variances needed for a two‑lot minor subdivision at 11961 Douglas Road in Harris Township.
Sean Klein, director of the Area Planning Commission, told the board that the county’s newly adopted comprehensive plan identifies the area for a transition to mixed‑density residential uses and that several nearby parcels had been rezoned between 2020 and 2024. Staff recommended approval of the variances, concluding the proposed 11‑acre lot for the existing home and the new ~1.3‑acre buildable lot are consistent with neighboring residential patterns and the comprehensive plan.
Terry Lang, representing the property owners John W. and Beth Ann Raker, said the purchaser for the new lot is an adjacent family (Jacob Leininger) and that the proposed home site is on a wooded corner rather than productive tillable land. Lang said soil borings were planned after staff approval and that owners did not intend additional splits now.
Doctor Lauck moved to approve variances 1–3 as presented; Tom Byers seconded. Voting in the hearing was recorded with five yes votes and one no (Mister Velman). The board granted the variances and directed staff to prepare written findings of fact.
The approval allows the owners to proceed with the minor subdivision paperwork under county rules and then with the minor subdivision process required by the ordinance.
