Elkhart City zoning board unanimously approves variances and revokes outdated 2022 use variance

The Elkhart City Board of Zoning Appeals approved five variance requests and revoked an earlier 2022 use variance during its Feb. 12 meeting, with each motion passing unanimously under a three-member quorum requirement.

The board approved developmental variances for Poly Properties LLC at 345 Country Club Drive to legalize an 18.5-foot rear-yard setback where 20 feet is required and to allow a 0-foot driveway setback where 6 feet is required. Ben Stanley, a surveyor representing the petitioner, told the board the property has been used as a business office since 2017 and the request formalizes an existing layout tied to an earlier expansion. Staff recommended approval, citing no apparent harm to adjacent uses and seven findings of fact supporting the relief. A motion to approve the case (26BZA-03) adopted petitioner materials and staff findings and passed by roll call (Lindley: Yes; Newbill: Yes; Lightman: Yes).

The board granted a use variance to allow a private club or lodge at 2111 Casopolis Street for a Masonic group seeking to relocate from Industrial Parkway. Jason Abel, representing the owners Joseph and Catherine Livings and members of Terrain Lodge No. 12, said the building will be used for evening meetings and occasional Saturday mornings.…