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Vermilion Board of Zoning Appeals approves variances for multiple properties
Summary
At its Aug. 26 meeting the Vermilion Board of Zoning Appeals granted a series of variance requests — including side-yard, setback, garage and fence exceptions — for properties across the city; most requests were approved after brief presentations and neighbor support.
The Vermilion Board of Zoning Appeals approved a string of property variances at its Aug. 26 meeting, granting relief for side-yard, setback, garage and fence requirements at multiple addresses across the city.
The board approved a side-yard variance of about 1.3 feet for Suzanne Klein Smith of 5416 Park Drive to accommodate moving mechanicals to the first floor and making a stairway code-compliant. "We are up against the FEMA limitation on amount of money that can be spent, so we're trying to stay within the footprint," Suzanne Klein Smith said during her presentation. The motion passed on a roll call vote.
The board also granted a 2-foot-6-inch height variance for a detached garage at 5213 Devin Drive after James Allen of Affordable Innovations spoke for the owner, explaining the request would allow storage and eliminate a monthly off-site storage cost. "He's wanting to raise the roof a little bit so that he can get storage," James Allen said.
Bob Stitchak, representing Garage Bar and Grill at 5391 Elizabeth Liberty Avenue, received approval for a large rear-yard setback variance to build a storage and walk-in cooler addition to the back of the restaurant; Stitchak said deliveries would be rerouted to a new service gate and neighbors had been contacted about the plan.
Other routine approvals included setback and porch variances for Sandy Kidd (represented by Adam Wilson), a fence-extension variance for Robert Carmen, and a setback variance for Jeremy Lake at 5436 Anchorage Way to allow reconfiguration of a porch and foundation. In each case applicants presented plans and, where provided, letters or in-person statements of neighbor support.
In a separate case, the board approved variances that allowed an existing nonconforming structure in a floodplain to be extended for a property at 5550 Huron Street (owners identified as Dave and Jane Reyes). Neighbors and a consulting engineer were cited as sources of background information on flood elevations; the board asked that finalized elevation and floodplain engineering be submitted with building plans.
All motions were moved and seconded on the record and carried by the board. The board closed the meeting by announcing its next regular session, scheduled for Sept. 23, 2025 at 6 p.m.
The board’s actions recorded variances, conditions and roll-call results in the meeting minutes; applicants seeking to alter a decision have the option to reapply with a modified proposal or appeal to the county court of common pleas.
