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After debate and public comment, Fishers BZA narrowly approves columbarium variances for Christ the Savior Lutheran Church
Summary
The Board approved two variances allowing columbaria (niches for cremated remains) at Christ the Savior Lutheran Church (10500 E. 126th St.): a land-use variance to permit a cemetery use in R-3 limited to columbaria and a development standards variance to waive a perimeter wall requirement. Approvals were conditioned on recording, native-plant landscaping language, tying the variance to place of worship use, limiting footprint, and removal of remains if the property ceases to be a place of worship.
Following presentations from church representatives, a landscape architect, and staff, the Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals approved two variances that allow columbaria structures in a memory garden area at Christ the Savior Lutheran Church, 10500 East 126th Street.
Representatives described the request as narrow: the church seeks permission for two prefabricated columbaria structures (each roughly 50 sq ft footprint, about 6 feet tall) located well inside the property’s memory garden area and separated from neighboring residential lots by more than 200 feet. Attorney/planner Kevin Bucheit emphasized that the filings were advertised under the 'cemetery' use in the UDO only because columbaria are listed under that definition, but that the church’s intent is limited to…
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