Board of Adjustment approves special exception for parking access at La Porte recreation center with sidewalk condition

The La Porte Board of Adjustment approved a special exception allowing a reduced driveway setback for a proposed 1.22-acre parking lot serving the La Porte Recreation and Fitness Center at 1218 South Broadway Street. A city staff member told the board that the city code requires a 40-foot minimum driveway distance from an intersection and that the applicant sought 28 feet for the new driveway; “the requirement is 40 feet, and what’s being asked for is 28 feet,” the staff member said.

After a staff presentation explaining that the proposed driveway would align with an existing southern driveway, be about 50 feet from the edge of pavement, and minimize curb cuts along the major corridor of South Broadway, a board member pressed staff on pedestrian impacts and curve geometry. The board member argued the turnout looked as if it might cut into the sidewalk; the staff member replied the curve begins at the sidewalk and there is roughly 5 feet from the driveway entrance to where the curve starts. The board then closed the hearing and a committee member moved to grant the special exception “contingent of it being at least 3 feet from that sidewalk.” The motion was seconded, the board confirmed a full five-member quorum, and the Chair called a unanimous voice vote; the motion carried.

The approval includes a condition that the turnout radius end at least 3 feet from the sidewalk to maintain separation for pedestrians. The clerk read the board’s appeal language describing a 10-day window to seek judicial review after the decision is filed in the Board of Adjustment office. The board adjourned following routine business.