BZA grants two setback variances for Fairfield homeowner’s porch and sunroom

The Area Board of Zoning Appeals of Tippecanoe County voted May 27 to grant two variances that will legalize a reduced side setback and allow a front porch addition at 3717 North County Drive in the Fairfield area.

Board staff planner Nathan McBurnett described the property as a single‑family home in an R‑1 zone and said one existing condition brought the owner before the board: a portion of the house already comes to within about 2 feet of the east property line. McBurnett said staff found the requests met some findings but did not meet the hardship test and recommended denial. "We do not believe that this meets the standards of the hardship test," McBurnett told the board.

Casey Mast of MSL Construction, representing owner Robert Darnell (name spelled variably in the record), said the porch would create usable front seating space, improve the home's appearance and accommodate necessary foundation work; he described the front porch as a full, roofed concrete porch with an overlay and said the petitioner was trying to remain as close as possible to the required side setback while achieving symmetry in the facade.

After questions about whether the existing 2‑foot condition reflected a past survey or construction irregularity, the board cast ballots. The clerk reported both variances passed with five yes votes and no no votes. The chair declared both variances granted.

Staff recommended denial based on the conclusion that the porch was not necessary to use the property as a single‑family dwelling and that the hardship was self‑imposed. The board nevertheless granted relief, allowing the owner to proceed with final design and permitting steps.