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LaPorte County Board of Zoning Appeals approves several variances, denies storage requests and continues tower review
Summary
The May 19 LaPorte County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a mix of variances and use requests (including a contested gas‑station plan) while denying some storage and ordering removal of seasonal containers; a proposed 445‑ft communications tower was continued to June 16 for more material.
LaPorte County’s Board of Zoning Appeals on May 19 approved a package of property variances, denied several storage requests and postponed a contested communications‑tower application to allow more public review.
At the top of the agenda, the board renewed a three‑year variance permitting a mobile home to remain as a temporary residence for an elderly resident; the petitioner’s daughter, Deborah Jurkowski, acknowledged she missed the prior filing window. The board approved the renewal on a three‑year, renewable schedule.
Board members denied two shipping‑container requests. One petitioner seeking a rear‑yard container for personal storage at a rental property was turned down unanimously, as was a separate container request for farm equipment after the board voted against that petition.
Other actions included approval of a one‑acre house placement without road frontage for Ceil and Michael Tristano (with a recorded easement required), unanimous approval for a second house to allow family caregiving on 4.73 acres for Randy and Mildred McCullough, and a decision to allow a three‑unit conversion of a single building on U.S. 30—but the conversion will require the necessary health and building permits.
The board ordered a fireworks vendor to remove up to six shipping containers used for seasonal storage by Aug. 1, following neighbors’ objections about fire risk and truck traffic. The petitioners said the containers hold seasonal stock for several stores; the board voted 3–2 to require removal by Aug. 1.
A petition for a 445‑foot communications tower drew the most extensive public comment. Iron Mountain Towers’ representative Derek McGrew said the structure is needed for long‑range point‑to‑point communications for financial‑market signals and has received an FAA “no hazard” determination. Neighbors opposed the tower, citing visual impact, wetlands and wildlife concerns, private well protection and other potential effects. The board continued that petition to June 16 to let the applicant provide photo simulations, additional engineering material and a public information packet.
The board closed its meeting at 8:37 p.m. and noted that approved petitions still must meet building, health and stormwater permitting requirements before work can begin.
What happens next: Continued items will return to the BZA on June 16; petitioners whose variances were approved must obtain required county permits and record easements where noted.
