Hearing officer approves multiple pool, fence and sign variances and renews short‑term rental in Carmel

The Board of Zoning Appeals hearing officer on March 23 approved a series of variances affecting pool installations, fence heights and a wall sign, and renewed a short‑term rental exemption for a Carmel homeowner, city staff said.

Alyssa Cox of Seaway Pools, representing Robert and Bethany Vickers, told the hearing that the Vickers want a backyard pool that would raise the property’s impervious lot coverage to about 49 percent, above the 35 percent normally allowed, and requested a one‑foot equipment setback from a utility easement where three feet is typically required. “We are looking to install a swimming pool in the backyard,” Cox said, and added that the homeowners were prepared to pay any additional stormwater fee if the variance was approved. City staff recommended approval provided remaining review comments are addressed and findings of fact are adopted; the hearing officer approved the request on the record.

On a separate corner‑lot fence request (docket PZ202600019), a petitioner introduced as Eric asked to install a six‑foot privacy fence that would begin at the back of his house and leave the second front yard open. Neighbor Michael Foster raised a concern after receiving a notice he said indicated the fence would be in the front yard; staff clarified the proposal would not close the front yard and said the fence would be set off storm‑pipe locations and side‑walk clearances so it would not interfere with the vision clearance triangle. The hearing officer approved the fence variance with the adoption of findings of fact.

Lisa Rains of Sine Solutions asked for an additional wall sign to improve wayfinding to a grocery pickup area for a tenant identified as Myers; staff supported the sign variance provided outstanding review comments and project documents are addressed, and the hearing officer approved it as recommended.

Another corner‑lot petitioner, Adam, sought a 48‑inch black metal fence where 42 inches had previously been approved; staff said the see‑through metal fence would not affect sight lines and recommended approval, which the hearing officer granted.

Christine Larson, a Carmel resident at 377 Patricia Court, asked for continuation of her short‑term rental exemption and said there had been no complaints; staff reported no code‑enforcement or police incidents in the past year and noted that renewals are generally viewed favorably under the zoning ordinance. The hearing officer approved the renewal; staff also reminded the applicant that the exemption is valid for one year.

Finally, Amelia Zaharco described three variances for a small 7‑by‑13 plunge pool on a corner lot (dockets PZ202600031–033): a reduced setback to within 1 foot of a utility easement while remaining outside the easement, a corner‑lot/side‑yard variance, and an increase in hardscape from 50 percent to 53 percent (about 150 additional square feet). Staff said the homeowners association had approved the project, engineering was engaged, and the pool would not encroach into the easement; the hearing officer approved the variances with the stated conditions.

Votes at a glance: the hearing officer approved the Vickers pool variances (PZ202600017, PZ202600018); a privacy fence variance (PZ202600019); a wall sign variance for Myers (PZ202600021); a fence height variance for Adam (docket noted in hearing); a short‑term rental exemption renewal for Christine Larson (address on record); and three Brown pool variances (PZ202600031–033). In each case staff recommended approval with conditions and adoption of findings of fact, and the hearing officer recorded approval on the record.

The hearing officer closed the meeting after the final approval and adjourned the session.