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Board approves multiple variances and exceptions for decks, residences, duplex conversion and a 3D-printing tenant
Summary
The Kosciusko County hearing approved several variances and exceptions including a wider-deck stair variance for Eric and Sarah Claywell, a modular-home footprint variance for William Jones, an exception allowing an existing garage for Judith Wolf (with owner-tied conditions), a duplex conversion in a commercial district for Greg Snavely, plan changes for Andrew Stokley, an addition for Adam Gable, and approval of a 3D-printing light-manufacturing tenant at the Deco property.
At a Kosciusko County hearing, the board approved a set of variances and exceptions across multiple properties, ranging from deck-stair widths and setback relief to a limited light-manufacturing tenant in a commercial condominium regime.
The board approved variance 202620 for Eric and Sarah Claywell to construct a deck with stairs wider than five feet while maintaining a 31-foot setback from the water at a residence on Dewart Lake in Redmond Park. Petitioner Eric Clowwell said the wider stairs were for ease of access and that the deck would remain open with no overhead structures; the board approved the request on that condition.
A variance for William Jones to build a new residence within reduced right-of-way and side-yard setbacks in Tippecanoe Township was approved after the builder, Sandra Green (Health and Headline Homes), said they were converting a modular home and keeping the footprint comparable to the prior structure. Staff noted an adjacent owner had submitted a letter of support.
Exception 202611 for Judith Wolf to retain an accessory garage without a residence in Turkey Creek Township was approved with conditions limiting outside storage and tying the exception to the current ownership: if the property is sold the new purchaser would need to seek evaluation or comply with conditions governing principal-residence linkage.
The board approved an exception (202615) to allow conversion of a former day care building to a duplex in a commercial district for petitioner Greg Snavely after the town raised no objections and the planning commission had referred the matter. Steve Schneider, acting for the petitioner, said the change would not increase traffic over the prior use and would not alter the building footprint.
Staff also approved a plan-change exception (202617) for Andrew Stokley allowing an increase in cubic content (about 179 square feet) so the petitioner could incorporate an interior staircase; the board accepted design changes after staff review and petitioner explanation.
Variance 202624 for Adam Gable — a two-story garage addition and a second-story channel-front deck that would come within 5.72 feet of the water’s edge and 2.7 feet of the side property line — was approved on condition the existing lower-level footprint remains unchanged.
Finally, exception 202618 was granted for light manufacturing/3D printing in a commercial condominium building at 88465 E Backwater Road. The tenant representative (Bridal Peterson Real Estate) said the business is Belgium-based and would operate indoors with dust collection; the board approved the 3D-printing use and asked staff to notify the condo cooperative about unrelated outside-storage violations elsewhere on the property.
Most approvals were made after staff confirmed proper legal advertisement and notification; the transcript does not record formal vote tallies for these approvals. Where approvals carried conditions, staff explained those conditions (for example, no outside storage; the requirement that a footprint not change; or that a new owner must seek re-evaluation).
