Fishers City panel approves variance to allow 5-foot shed setback at 10514 Collingsworth Lane

The Fall Creek Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously to approve variance VA 25-29, allowing a 12-by-20 storage shed to be built 5 feet from the northern side property line at 10514 Collingsworth Lane.

Petitioner Dominic Arkello told the board he was "requesting a variance to grandfather [the] side yard setback from 10 foot to 5 foot" so he could place a shed closer to his garage to house woodworking equipment and lawn tools. Arkello said the lot was developed in 1973, the house was built in 1978 and he and his wife bought the property in 2001; he showed aerial photos and neighborhood examples of similar sheds with 5-foot setbacks.

Grace Wiley, planner for Fishers City, summarized the staff report, identifying the applicable standard as UDO section 6.2.2.C.2 and noting the property is zoned R2 (suburban residential) under the Fishers 2040 plan. Wiley told the board the staff report cover mischaracterized the site as institutional; "that is incorrect. It is suburban residential," she said. Wiley also said one written public comment opposed the request (from Tyler Wardrop of 10545 Tremont Circle) and that "staff has no recommendation to the Fall Creek Board of Zoning Appeals" on the petition. She added that, should the board approve the variance, staff recommends that an approval letter and related documentation be recorded with the Hamilton County Recorder's Office.

Board members asked Arkello several clarifying questions about existing setbacks, whether the rear setback would remain at approximately 15 feet, and whether the proposed shed would abut a neighbor's proposed fence line; Arkello said he will provide a registered land survey to confirm property corners and the 5-foot offset.

After discussion, a board member moved to approve VA 25-29. The board conducted a roll-call vote and recorded votes as: Mister Bassett — Yes; Mister Finsky — Yes; Mister Huck — Yes. The motion carried and the variance was approved.

Next steps identified on the record include submission of the signed approval documentation and recording those documents with the county recorder, per staff guidance.