Board permits temporary accessory dwellings with yearly reviews and health-department conditions

The Porter County Board of Zoning Appeals approved temporary relief allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in two petitions focused on family care needs, but required yearly reviews and health-department approvals for septic systems.

At 830 North 75 West (UV-2025-69), petitioner Laura Robotti said the temporary 14-by-32 manufactured unit will house her mother and be removed "when my mom passes." Staff and board members emphasized the conditional nature of the relief: health-department approval for an upsized septic and yearly reviews by the hearing officer. The board discussed removal timing if the hardship ends and referenced a 60–90 day removal window that would be set by the board.

A separate ADU request from Joel and Mallory Tonagel (UV-2025-74) for a detached unit to care for aging parents on a 10-acre parcel also received approval on a hardship basis. Petitioners said the unit would match the house's aesthetics, share a driveway, and use a separate well and septic; they told the board they do not plan to rent the structure. Staff noted DRC comments about potential septic upsizing and asked the petitioners to coordinate with the health department. The board discussed alternatives (subdivision or adding on) but after hearing neighbors and staff moved to approve the temporary ADU relief with yearly reviews and health‑department coordination.

Board members repeatedly framed the approvals as temporary, tied to a demonstrated hardship, and stressed that the BZA's practice is to prefer additions to the primary home where possible to avoid creating two distinct dwelling units on one lot. Petitioners were advised that when the underlying hardship ends the temporary unit must be removed per the board's conditions.