Board of Zoning Appeals

CITY OF HOBART BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2014 Mr. Dan Waldrop called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Members in attendance: Mr. Dan Waldrop, Mr. Ron Jackson, Mr. Greg Lollis and Mr. Stuart Allen. Member absent: Mr. Dennis Zoladz. Also in attendance: Mr. Phil Gralik, City Engineer; Mr. Sergio Mendoza, City Planner; Mr. Carroll Lewis, Zoning Administrator and Ms. Joy Respecke, Recording Secretary. Approval of Minutes: Mr. Allen made a motion to approve the minutes of July 3, 2014 as presented, seconded by Mr. Lollis. All ayes, motion carried. (4-0) Communications/Acceptance of Agenda: Mr. Mendoza requested to add a summary of the public planning sessions for the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Lollis made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Allen. All ayes, motion carried. (4-0) New Business 1. 14-13 Angela F. Lewis (Petitioner/Owner) 501 W. Old Ridge Rd. located on the SW corner of Old Ridge Rd. & Connecticut St., zoned R-2, 0.16 acre Request: Public Hearing: A petition request for a Developmental St. Variance Sec. 154.007 (Definitions) Purpose: To encroach 11’ into secondary front yard on a reverse corner lot with a proposed privacy fence Approved X Denied __ Deferred __ Vote 4-0 Angela Lewis, 501 W. Old Ridge Road noted that prior to purchasing the house a vehicle struck it and is requesting to construct a privacy fence in her side/rear yard to protect her house. She stated that vehicles, due to excessive speed, have driven on her property as they make the turn onto Connecticut Street off Old Ridge Road. Mr. Waldrop opened and closed the Public Hearing for Petition 14-13 without public comments. Mr. Gralik mentioned that vertical obstruction along a bike trail has a requirement of a 2’ buffer setback to prevent handlebars from hitting fences and felt that from an engineering point of view installing a fence along a sidewalk is bad practice. Mr. Allen made a motion to Approve Petition 14-13 contingent upon the fencing having a 2’ setback from the sidewalk including all discussion and findings of fact, seconded by Mr. Jackson. All ayes, motion carried. (4-0)  2. 14-14 Jack Allendorf/County of Lake, State of IN (Petitioner/Agent) located SE of Old Ridge Rd. & Hansen Blvd., zoned R-2, 0.080 acre Request: Public Hearing: A petition request for a Developmental St. Variance Sec. 154.402 (B)(5) Purpose: To exceed the permitted max. height of 180’ by 35’ for a 199’ radio tower with a 16’ attached antenna totaling 215’ in Hillman Park Approved X Denied __ Deferred __ Vote 4-0 Jack Allendorf, 8719 Jackson Street, Merrillville, IN mentioned that in keeping with the state mandate for consolidation of 911 public safety answering points throughout the state by December 31, 2014, a county wide radio system is being designed for police, fire and EMS. He stated the antenna tower located in Hillman Park is one of seven (7) proposed sites designated for the system and due to the lack of availability of towers for this area of the county, a 215’ antenna tower is necessary for the coverage. Mr. Waldrop opened the Public Hearing for Petition 14-14. William Krebes, 697 North Lake Park Avenue inquired to restrictions for the public safety around the tower. Mr. Allendorf explained for security purposes, the 50’x70’ area proposed for the tower will be surrounded by a locked 8’ fence with angled security atop. Hearing no further comments from the public, Mr. Waldrop closed the Public Hearing for Petition 14-14. Mr. Lollis made a motion to Approve Petition 14-14 including all discussion and findings of fact, seconded by Mr. Allen. All ayes, motion carried. (4-0) Consultation/Discussion: Mr. Mendoza distributed packets of the residents’ ideas and comments that were presented to him during the public input planning sessions for the Comprehensive Plan. He stated the comments/ideas will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan as future projects or ways of why some of the projects can or cannot occur. Mr. Waldrop commended Mr. Mendoza for all his efforts in preparing the Comprehensive Plan. There being no further comments or discussion Mr. Lollis made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Allen. All ayes, motion carried. (4-0) Meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m. _____________________________ _________________________________ Dan Waldrop, Chairman Ron Jackson, Secretary Page 2 BZAmin 8/7/14