Board approves variance allowing corner-lot fence at 6849 Tucson Road

The Schererville Town Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 23 approved a variance that lets homeowners at 6849 Tucson Road extend a six-foot privacy fence eight feet beyond the town's 20-foot building line on a corner lot.

The petitioners, identified in the hearing as Alyssa M. LaFever and Mark T. O'Kelly Jr., presented a PowerPoint showing the house and the proposed fence alignment, measurements and visibility photos. The presenter told the board the HOA had reviewed and approved the plan, that the fence would increase household safety and keep pets contained, and that an on-site tree would be removed to accommodate the installation. "This fence increases safety by having controlled access to our home through gates, and it's a secured backyard," the petitioner told the board.

A nearby resident, Jennifer Miller of 6793 Tucson Road, spoke in support and said she did not anticipate visibility issues from her own corner lot. "I wouldn't have visibility issues either because of where my house is," Miller said, adding she favored the extra enclosed yard space the variance would allow.

Board discussion focused on hardship and potential impacts. Board member Jarvis said the petitioners' stated hardships — long-term pet ownership and the presence of visiting children — were understandable and said he saw no effect on property values or the health, safety or welfare of the public despite the request being inconsistent with the comprehensive plan. Board member O'Rourke asked whether a tree shown on the site would be removed and whether an HOA note about maintenance around a corner drain would fall inside the proposed fence; the petitioner confirmed the tree would be removed and the maintenance area would remain outside the fenced area.

Jarvis moved to approve BZA case 26-3-196849 to allow the six-foot privacy fence to extend eight feet past the 20-foot building line; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The board welcomed the petitioners following the vote.

The presentation included the petitioners' measurements: the fence would extend 8 feet past the building line; the distance from the sidewalk edge to the fence would be approximately 13 feet, from the street to the fence about 26 feet, and the opening to the fence gate about 90 feet, according to their slides. The petitioner also said the installation company would be FFC Fencing Co. and that the HOA's written approval was provided in meeting materials.

No formal conditions or follow-up reports were recorded in the hearing minutes provided at the meeting.