BZA recommends special exception for sports court at 12240 West 80 Third Place; council review required
June 05, 2025 | St John Town, Lake County, Indiana
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The Saint John Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3-0 on June 4 to forward a favorable recommendation to the Town Council for a special exception that would allow installation of a sports court and in-ground basketball hoop at 12240 West 80 Third Place.
The application requests a concrete sports pad approximately 30 feet by 25 feet with an in-ground basketball hoop in a side yard on a lot facing a through street. Staff described the driveway slope as about 7.1 degrees and said the court would provide a flatter, safer place for children to play than the sloped driveway. The applicant, Todd Anderson, was not present; the board was told the applicant executed a power of attorney so a family representative could present on his behalf.
The representative told the board the court would not have lights or floodlights and would be used from roughly 7 a.m. to dusk. He said two nearby neighbors with direct views of the pad — both seniors — supported the proposal; one requested that the pad be aligned to preserve the neighbor’s view from a bedroom window because he is wheelchair bound and likes to watch the children play.
The representative described a personal reason for the request: “My grandson loves basketball. He plays for the Lake Central Basketball Club and is hoping to make the … seventh grade team. What this really would help provide for him is an area for him to be able to hone his skills.”
Planning staff reported no written remonstrances had been received and no neighbors spoke in opposition at the hearing. The board discussed the special-exception standards and a board member moved to send a favorable recommendation to the Town Council, reciting required findings such as that the special exception would not endanger public health or substantially impair the use and enjoyment of nearby property. The motion carried 3-0.
Because the BZA can only recommend the special exception, final approval and any required permits will be determined by the Town Council and subsequent permitting steps.
The application requests a concrete sports pad approximately 30 feet by 25 feet with an in-ground basketball hoop in a side yard on a lot facing a through street. Staff described the driveway slope as about 7.1 degrees and said the court would provide a flatter, safer place for children to play than the sloped driveway. The applicant, Todd Anderson, was not present; the board was told the applicant executed a power of attorney so a family representative could present on his behalf.
The representative told the board the court would not have lights or floodlights and would be used from roughly 7 a.m. to dusk. He said two nearby neighbors with direct views of the pad — both seniors — supported the proposal; one requested that the pad be aligned to preserve the neighbor’s view from a bedroom window because he is wheelchair bound and likes to watch the children play.
The representative described a personal reason for the request: “My grandson loves basketball. He plays for the Lake Central Basketball Club and is hoping to make the … seventh grade team. What this really would help provide for him is an area for him to be able to hone his skills.”
Planning staff reported no written remonstrances had been received and no neighbors spoke in opposition at the hearing. The board discussed the special-exception standards and a board member moved to send a favorable recommendation to the Town Council, reciting required findings such as that the special exception would not endanger public health or substantially impair the use and enjoyment of nearby property. The motion carried 3-0.
Because the BZA can only recommend the special exception, final approval and any required permits will be determined by the Town Council and subsequent permitting steps.
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