Elkhart BZA approves two fence variances and three daycare requests with conditions

The Elkhart City Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 21 granted a series of routine variances and special-exception requests, including two corner-fence variances and three daycare permits, after staff said the requests conform to anticipated updates in the city's Unified Development Ordinance.

Staff read reports and recommended approval for each item, emphasizing that the proposed uses would be subject to conditions and final permitting. For the fence variances at 1305 Cedar Street and 1034 Princeton Street, staff described prior citations for 6-foot opaque privacy fences installed in corner side yards where the ordinance allows only non-opaque fences up to 4 feet; staff recommended approval if petitioners verify property corner markers and meet conditions. "Staff recommends approval of the developmental variance" was read into the record during the Cedar…