Planning commission approves design waivers for three‑lot family subdivision, conditions tied to driveway standards

The Porter County Planning Commission voted to approve design waivers for Case DW2025‑26, a proposal to create two new roughly 2‑acre lots from a 110.51‑acre parent parcel, with a condition that the driveway meet minor‑subdivision/private‑road standards.

Project manager Rich Biesa said the 110.51‑acre property owner seeks two buildable lots on the parcel’s northeast corner so family members can live together. "It's currently a 110.51 acres that we would like to create 2 new, buildable lots on the northeast corner of the parcel," Biesa told the commission. He said six waivers were granted in 2022 and three additional waivers were requested because of lot orientation and use of a common driveway.

Staff (identified in the transcript as "Mister Perez") and commissioners focused on the existing common driveway agreement. Perez explained that the two new lots will rely on an existing common‑driveway agreement and that the agreement "will be amended for the 2 new lots" once the subdivision is finalized. Staff recommended that any waiver for the driveway be conditioned on applying minor‑subdivision standards for driveway/private‑road width and maintenance.

Several nearby residents asked where the new driveways would be and whether the whole property was being subdivided. Biesa said "one of the lots will try to utilize one off a division" and that final driveway locations and any easement amendments would be addressed during site plan review and final design.

After discussion about easement widths, driveway length and maintenance, Commissioner Kevin Breitsky moved to approve the design waivers with the driveway subject to the minor‑subdivision standard; the motion was seconded and the clerk read a roll call. The vote read by staff recorded seven votes in favor and one opposed (name recorded as "Ritz" in the transcript). The commission announced the motion passed.

Next steps: The applicant will amend the shared‑driveway agreement to include the two new lots and return for subsequent subdivision control proceedings and final plats as required by the county’s Unified Development Ordinance.