Zoning board approves reduced‑lot variance to allow one‑story home at 2461 New York Avenue

The Hammond Advisory Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 24 approved a developmental variance allowing construction of a single‑family, one‑story home at 2461 New York Avenue in an R1U urban single‑family district.

Petitioner Lupe Ambrosio, representing Reyes Dreamcas, Inc., told the board the lot is 37 feet 6 inches wide with a lot area of about 4,687 square feet (the zoning minimum cited is 4,800 square feet) and that the proposed three‑bedroom, two‑bath house would have a raised crawl space and a parking pad rather than a driveway and garage to match adjacent properties. Ambrosio said similar deficient parcels are common in the block and that the design intends to be compatible with neighboring homes.

City staff submitted a four‑page report and recommended granting the developmental variance if the petitioner met the standards; staff asked that final technical building and site plans receive staff approval and that the house include an elevated crawl space or basement to address site conditions. The board moved to accept staff findings and approved the variance and the staff conditions by roll call (five yes, zero no).

Board members asked questions about setbacks, the adjacent property’s gravel and how the parking pad would be oriented; the petitioner said she had discussed the adjacent gravel issue with a neighbor and expected coordination before breaking ground. There were no public comments on the case.

What happens next: the petitioner must submit final building and site plans for technical review and staff approval, and the recorded conditions (e.g., elevated finished floor) must be met before permits are issued.