BZA approves Clear Creek Homes model-home court and grants two variances at Indianapolis Avenue site

The Lebanon Board of Zoning Appeals approved variances allowing Clear Creek Homes to establish a model-home court and sales office at 2040 Indianapolis Avenue.

Staff explained the site is a largely paved former restaurant lot within the thoroughfare overlay district. The applicant proposed one permanent sales-office structure and three interchangeable model homes brought in as prefabricated modules. Because the models must be moved periodically and a crane/truck must be able to stage and maneuver on the paved area, the applicant requested relief from the interior parking-lot landscaping requirement. The applicant also requested relief from certain non-residential architectural standards in the thoroughfare overlay (masonry-on-all-sides requirement) that are difficult to apply to movable residential modules; staff recommended approval with perimeter landscaping and other improvements to reestablish the corridor buffer.

Brett Oding, owner of Clear Creek Homes, said model footprints will typically be 1,500–2,000 square feet; modules will be staged on existing blacktop and fitted with temporary skirting rather than permanent masonry foundations. Ike Daniel, representing a nearby dealership, spoke in favor of the project and urged attention to flowers and landscaping along the I-65 approach.

The board approved the requested variances by roll call with one member abstaining. Staff will enforce perimeter landscaping, thoroughfare-overlay buffer plantings and other conditions during development-plan and technical review.