BZA approves small-lot variance for single-family home at 2461 New York Avenue

The Hammond City Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously to approve a developmental variance (Z-26-03) requested by Reyes Dream Casas Inc. to construct a one-story, three-bedroom, two-bath single-family home at 2461 New York Avenue.

Petitioner Lupe Ambrosio told the board the lot measures 37 feet 6 inches in width where the zoning standard is 40 feet and has a lot area of 4,687 square feet versus the 4,800-square-foot ordinance minimum. Ambrosio said the proposed home uses a design similar to nearby houses, will have a raised crawl space to match neighborhood elevations and will use a parking pad rather than a garage. Ambrosio said roughly 23 nearby parcels are also deficient and argued the home would fit the block pattern.

City staff presented a four-page staff report recommending approval if the board found the petitioner met variance standards. Staff’s recommendation included two conditions: technical review and final approval of all final building and site plans by city staff, and inclusion of an elevated crawl space or basement (finished-floor elevation requirement). The board accepted the staff report and proposed findings of fact into the record and then voted to approve the variance by roll call; recorded votes were five ayes, zero nays.

At the petitioner’s request the board also agreed to table a related docket (D-26-04) for 90 days to allow additional coordination on the case, with the board noting staff will notify the petitioner about the new hearing date.

The board’s action allows the petitioner to pursue final engineering and permitting; final building permits are contingent on the technical reviews and the recorded conditions noted by staff.