Board approves addition-to-garage variances for Michael Hernandez with conditions (Pet. 2607)

The Chesterton Zoning Board of Appeals approved Petition 2607 on June 25, allowing Indie RE LLC’s buyer, Michael Hernandez, to construct an addition that connects the house to an existing two-car garage, subject to recorded conditions.

The applicant, represented by attorney Greg Babcock, sought relief for multiple setback requirements tied to an older 1915 house and asked the board to allow a smaller breezeway/mudroom connection than the ordinance’s substantial-connection standard. Hernandez said the project would let him and his grandchildren move into the home and that he intended to follow the floor plans submitted with the petition.

Staff recommended conditions to limit future ambiguity: (1) require the construction to be "substantially similar" to the submitted Exhibit A floor plans, (2) remove an older west-side garage as part of the approval, and (3) require submission of elevations and drainage contours with the building-permit application and direct downspouts/drainage westward. Board members discussed whether conditions should run with the land to protect the buyer under his land contract; counsel explained conditions run with the property but that making relief person-specific could impede future sales.

The board voted unanimously to grant the variances with the three conditions; staff will verify compliance during the permit review and will require the elevation/contour data at permit submission.