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Zoning board allows 3-car garage addition at 9010 Noble Street
Summary
The board granted Brian Pittman a variance to add a 15-by-29-foot garage extension at 9010 Noble Street (R-1, ~0.637 acres). Pittman told the board he has spent about $10,000 on storage and needs space; the board approved the variance 4-0 for use at this location only.
The Town of Merrillville Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously to approve a variance allowing homeowner Brian Pittman to add a 15-by-29-foot extension to his existing garage at 9010 Noble Street.
Pittman, the petitioner, told the board he moved from a home with a three-car garage into a property with a two-car garage and has kept belongings in off-site storage since the move. "It's costing me a fortune," Pittman said, adding he has spent "over $10,000 in storage." Staff explained the proposal seeks a variance from development standards in §21-77-3; the addition would remain on the petitioner’s property and be built to match the existing house. The petitioner described the addition as attached to the existing garage and said he would "open it up" and install a beam across the top so the space is one contiguous garage.
Board members asked questions about site plan notations (patio versus garage), access and egress, whether a dividing wall would remain and utilities or lighting. Pittman confirmed the man door at the rear will remain and that any electrical work would be permitted through the town. After no members of the public spoke for or against the request, a board member moved to approve the variance "for this location for this purpose only," a second followed and the motion passed on a 4-0 voice vote.
The approval applies only to the petitioner at this location; any changes beyond the scope discussed would require additional review.
