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Schererville council approves two variances to legalize existing 16-unit Morningside buildings
Summary
The council approved two variances of use allowing existing 16-unit multifamily buildings at 2601 and 2633 Morningside Drive to be legal in an R-3 district, incorporating BZA conditions requiring sidewalk repairs and dumpster screening; council recorded unanimous votes on both measures.
The Schererville Town Council on Feb. 11 approved two variances of use that authorize existing 16-unit multifamily buildings at 2601 and 2633 Morningside Drive to be legally permitted in an R-3 residential zoning district.
Engineer James Huss of DVG Team, representing Morningside LLC, told council the buildings are legal nonconforming structures that create challenges for sale, insurance and investment. "Legal nonconforming properties are not great for anybody involved," Huss said, adding that removing the nonconforming status would facilitate sale and rehabilitation. He estimated the town could see increased tax revenue from reassessments of roughly "$200 to $600,000" over the next 10 years if the properties are returned to conformity.
Council members confirmed with staff and the petitioner that BZA conditions placed on the earlier BZA approval would be incorporated into the council motion. Those conditions include repairing a cracked sidewalk square adjacent to one driveway and screening dumpster enclosures with fencing. Councilmember motion and second carried both variance approvals 5-0.
Both variances received favorable 3-0 recommendations from the Board of Zoning Appeals on Jan. 26 and were forwarded to the council for final action. The approvals allow the owner to remove the legal nonconforming designation and proceed with the sale and related improvements subject to the conditions adopted by the BZA and incorporated by council.
