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Zionsville BZA approves special exception and six variances to allow home at 7885 Royal Avenue B
Summary
The board granted a special exception to allow a single-family home in the A zoning district and approved six associated variances (setbacks, private well, spacing) by unanimous votes after staff recommended approval and the petitioner explained utility constraints and lot platting.
The Town of Zionsville Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special exception and six related variances to permit construction of a single-family dwelling at 7885 Royal Avenue B.
Staff told the board the petitioner’s recent purchase of an adjoining parcel changes the site configuration from the 2024 approval and that, with the proposed variances, the combined lot will accommodate a one-story home consistent with surrounding development. Staff also advised the closest public water connection is over 300 feet from the site, explaining the petition to authorize a private well on a lot under one acre.
Petitioner representative Suzanne Baker, a land planner, said the revised proposal incorporates both parcels and a one-story house design and urged that requiring a 300-foot water line and multiple easements would be burdensome for a single home. "The nearest connection point was over 300 feet away from his site," Baker said, adding that permitting and easement acquisition would likely fall outside the petitioner’s control.
After suspending the board’s 14‑day newspaper-notice rule to hear the development-standard variances, the board took and approved separate motions for each of the six variance requests — including reductions to front and side yard setbacks, permission for a private well, and a reduction in minimum dwelling separation in the agricultural district. Each variance motion passed by roll call, 5–0.
The petitioner must comply with standard building-permit requirements; staff required that any trees or plantings associated with other matters stay out of drainage easements. Recorded documents required for the variances will be returned to staff for recordation as part of the usual post-approval process.
